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Sarah A. G. Smith collection on 18th century Philadelphia merchants
The Sarah A. G. Smith collection consists of the business correspondence, accounts and records, and family papers of several prominent 18th century Philadelphia merchants. The bulk of the collection dates from 1713 to 1848. Over half of it pertains to the Wharton family, in particular Charles Whar...
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| Main Author: | |
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| Collection: | Sarah A. G. Smith Collection On 18th Century Philadelphia Merchants |
| Collection Number: | 1864 |
| Format: | Manuscript |
| Language: | English |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | Link to finding aid |
| Physical Description: |
1.6 Linear feet ; 4 boxes, 3 flat files |
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| Access: |
The collection is open for research. |
| Summary: |
The Sarah A. G. Smith collection consists of the business correspondence, accounts and records, and family papers of several prominent 18th century Philadelphia merchants. The bulk of the collection dates from 1713 to 1848. Over half of it pertains to the Wharton family, in particular Charles Wharton; his father Joseph Wharton; his brothers Thomas, Samuel, William, and Joseph; and his son Charles Wharton Jr. Highlights include Charles Wharton’s letter books, a 1770 letter from Colonel George Croghan to Joseph Wharton regarding Colonel Washington, and the will and list of assets of Joseph Wharton.
About a third of the collection consists of the business papers of (Thomas) Lamar, (Henry) Hill, (Robert) Bisset & Company, a partnership of three brothers-in-law who conducted trade between Philadelphia, London, and Madeira, and consists mostly of correspondence between the partners.
The remainder of the collection consists of business correspondence between John & Arthur Burrows of St. Vincent and Antony Clarkson of Philadelphia; business correspondence and records of Joshua Fisher and Sons; documents signed by Thomas Wright, lord mayor of the City of London; and several items relating to the Smith family. The Sarah A. G. Smith collection on 18th century Philadelphia merchants consists of the business correspondence, accounts and records, and miscellaneous family papers of a number of prominent merchants. Over half of the collection pertains to the Wharton family, primarily Charles Wharton; his father Joseph Wharton; his brothers Thomas, Samuel, William, and Joseph; and his son Charles Wharton Jr. Box 1 contains business correspondence, accounts, promissory notes and receipts, and miscellaneous documents of (Thomas) Lamar, (Henry) Hill, (Robert) Bisset & Company, a partnership of three brothers-in-law who conducted trade between Philadelphia, London, and Madeira beginning in the 1750s. There are references to the Wharton family (Box 1, Folder 4) and several letters mentioning business dealings with Willing & Morris, a partnership of Thomas Willing and Robert Morris active in shipping, real estate, and the slave trade (Box 1, Folders 6, 7). The Wharton family documents are contained in Boxes 2, 3, and 4 and Flat Files 1 and 2 and include business correspondence, account statements, deeds, promissory notes and receipts, bonds, agreements, tax assessments, real estate indentures, bills of lading, and other shipping documents. Highlights include Charles Wharton’s letter books (Box 2, Folders 1, 4) and account book with the Bank of Pennsylvania (Box 2, Folder 2), a 1770 letter from Colonel George Croghan to Joseph Wharton regarding Colonel Washington (Box 2, Folder 13), and a 1927 survey report on the "Wharton Tract" in Pike Township, Pennsylvania with maps and photographs (Box 2, Folder 23). Additionally, Box 2 contains account statements, invoices and receipts, and correspondence between John & Arthur Burrows of St. Vincent and Antony Clarkson of Philadelphia; the business letters, records, account statements, and miscellaneous documents of Joshua Fisher and Sons; and documents signed by Thomas Wright, lord mayor of the City of London, on behalf of Joseph Hibbert and John Byerley. Finally, Boxes 3 and 4 contain several documents relating to members of the Smith family. |