Subject: Merchants / Year: <span class="single" data-blrl-single="1814">1814</span> - Philadelphia Area Archives Search Results

Extent:: 2.75 linear feet
Abstract:: John Wagner and Sons, Inc. began in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1847 as a cigar importing business, but soon added wines, teas, and spices to its list of imports. Later on, the company expanded into the specialty food market. The Wagner family sold the business in 1950 and it changed hands a few more times until 2000, when it was purchased by Williams Foods, Inc., which as of 2014, still sells Wagner's brand products. The John Wagner and Sons, Inc. records, 1772-1990 (bulk 1847-1980), consist primarily of documents relating to John Wagner and Sons, including financial ledgers and receipts, photographs, letters, delivery records, property documents, price lists, product labels, publicity materials, employee records, and other materials. Also present in the collection is a small amount of materials that pre-date the business.

Held at: Philadelphia History Museum [Contact Us]

Extent:: 5.6 linear feet (; 14 boxes)
Abstract:: The Walns were a family of prominent Quaker merchants in Philadelphia. In 1774, Richard Waln, moved the family to Crosswicks, in Monmouth County, New Jersey, where he purchased "Walnford" and established a flour mill. The Waln family papers document primarily the family's business activities. Richard Waln (1737-1808) who was engaged in the milling business in Walnford, New Jersey, also was involved with financial concerns in Philadelphia. His nephew Robert (1765-1836) was the director of the Philadelphia Insurance Company from 1804 to 1813. Robert a successful merchant, joined into a partnership with his cousin Jesse, and traded with England and the West Indies, and later with East India and China. The collection consists largely of correspondence and financial records.

Held at: Historical Society of Pennsylvania [Contact Us]

Extent:: 17.0 volumes and [1 box]
Abstract:: The Odgen and Cuthbert families joined when Anthony Cuthbert (1751-1832) married Mary Ogden (1770-1862) in 1799. Both families had strong connections to the rivers of Philadelphia. The Ogden and Cuthbert family papers consist largely of financial records (receipt, invoice and account books) of Joseph Ogden, his son George, and his son-in-law Anthony Cuthbert.

Held at: Independence Seaport Museum, J. Welles Henderson Archives and Library [Contact Us]

Extent:: 5.63 linear feet (14 boxes)
Abstract:: The John Rowe Parker papers document the varied career of merchant, publisher and author John Rowe Parker. The majority of the letters are addressed to John Rowe Parker or one of his firms. Letters from 1802-1817 are primarily concerned with Parker's work as a dry goods merchant. Letters from 1817-1823 contain most of the music-related material in the collection, including letters from music publishers, composers, and performers; requests for information about pianos and organs; and subscriptions for his music journal, The Euterpeiad. Letters from 1823-1840 are principally concerned with Parker's work on a system of semaphoric signals, with extensive letters to James M. Elford and Son of Charleston, S.C. The collection also includes personal letters from family members and friends.

Held at: University of Pennsylvania: Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts [Contact Us]

Extent:: 1.25 linear feet
Abstract:: John Donnaldson (1754-1831) was a merchant and insurance broker who owned shares in the Canton, the first ship to sail from Philadelphia to China in 1785-1787. All of his five sons also had mercantile careers, and three of them--Edward Milner Donnaldson (1778-1853), Richard M. Donnaldson (1787-1873) and Hugh Donnaldson (1796-1819)--traveled to China. The Donnaldson family papers, 1773-1915, include documents relating to various family members, but principally Richard M. and Harriet Donnaldson. Documents include correspondence, land draughts, marriage certificates, etc. Of special interest are two original accounts of voyages to China, 1818-1819.

Held at: Historical Society of Montgomery County [Contact Us]

Extent:: .25 linear feet (1 box)
Abstract:: The Frederick Huth & Co. Spanish banking letters measure .25 linear feet in one box, date from 1814 to 1850, and contain 83 letters, mostly written in Spanish, sent to the company's founder and proprietor, Frederick Huth, by company agents in Spain. Frederick Huth & Co. was a British bank specializing in trade with Germany, Spain, and South America.

Held at: University of Pennsylvania: Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts [Contact Us]

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