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Sarah A. G. Smith collection on 18th century Philadelphia merchants

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Held at: Historical Society of Pennsylvania [Contact Us]1300 Locust Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19107

This is a finding aid. It is a description of archival material held at the Historical Society of Pennsylvania. Unless otherwise noted, the materials described below are physically available in their reading room, and not digitally available through the web.

Overview and metadata sections

Call Number:
1864
Repository:
Historical Society of Pennsylvania
Extent:
1.6 linear feet (; 4 boxes, 3 flat files )
Language:
English
Preferred Citation:
Cite as: [Indicate cited item or series here], Sarah A. G. Smith collection on 18th century Philadelphia merchants (Collection 1864), The Historical Society of Pennsylvania.
Date:
1705/6-1937 (bulk 1713-1848)
Creator:
Smith, Sarah A. G.
Abstract:
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.

Sarah Anne Green Smith was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1906. She wrote for local publications such as the Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography. Her great great grandfather was Daniel B. Smith (1793-1883), a prominent early American pharmacist who founded the first college of pharmacy, the first pharmacy journal, and the first national professional association for pharmacists in the United States. He was also a charter member of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania and served as its first corresponding secretary.

Daniel B. Smith's son Benjamin R. Smith (born 1825) married Esther Fisher Wharton (born 1836), the sister of Joseph Wharton. One of their children was Edward Wanton Smith (born 1875), who married Anna Dorothea Atwater (born 1877). Their first child was Sarah A. G. Smith.

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.

Gift of Sarah A. G. Smith, 1962, 1966, 1969.

Related collections at HSP:

Genealogy of the Wharton family of Philadelphia: 1664 to 1880 (Fa 929.2 W554w 1880)

Smith family papers 1728-1846 (Collection 1375)

Wharton and Willing families papers, 1669-1887 (Collection 2014)

Charles Wharton receipt book, 1799-1803 (Amb.9554)

William Wharton receipt book, 1765-1791 (Am.18697)

Wharton Family papers, 1679-1891 (Collection 708A)

People
Subject

Publisher
Historical Society of Pennsylvania
Finding Aid Author
Finding aid prepared by Mark D. Carnesi.
Finding Aid Date
; 2015.
Access Restrictions

The collection is open for research.

Collection Inventory

Correspondence and statements of accounts of Lamar, Hill, Bisset & Company, and letters from Mary Lamar regarding her estate, 1757-1798.
Box 1 Folder 1
Miscellaneous correspondence, primarily of R.L. Bisset, mainly regarding dissolution of partnership, 1792-1809.
Box 1 Folder 2
Notebook with business transactions and reminders, likely belonging to Thomas Lamar, Henry Hill, or Robert Bisset, 1763.
Box 1 Folder 3
Correspondence between Henry Hill, Robert Bisset, and Marien Lamar, 1756-1769.
Box 1 Folder 4
Folder note

Folder contains correspondence with the first noted references to the Wharton family in the collection.

Henry Hill household accounts from Madeira, and business correspondence of Lamar, Hill, Bisset & Company, 1757-1797.
Box 1 Folder 5
Letters and statements of accounts of Lamar, Hill, Bisset & Company, 1770-1775.
Box 1 Folder 6
Folder note

Folder contains at least one letter mentioning business dealings with Willing & Morris, a partnership of Thomas Willing and Robert Morris active in shipping, real estate, and the slave trade.

Letters, copies, and fragments of letters of Lamar, Hill, Bisset & Company, 1780-1788.
Box 1 Folder 7
Folder note

Folder contains additional correspondence mentioning Robert Morris.

Private and business correspondence of Lamar, Hill, Bisset & Company, with several letters written from Calcutta, 1790-1794.
Box 1 Folder 8
Correspondence and accounts of Lamar, Hill, Bisset & Company, 1794-1796.
Box 1 Folder 9
Correspondence of Lamar, Hill, Bisset & Company, and arbitrators' award/order to cease "Controversies & Disputes", 1796-1798.
Box 1 Folder 10
Folder note

Folder contains an award letter (1797) prepared by two arbitrators between Hill, Bisset & Company and Mary Lamar ordering a cessation of all “Controversies and Disputes."

Letter fragments and detailed accounts of transactions of Lamar, Hill, Bisset & Company, 1757-1804, 1915, undated.
Box 1 Folder 11
Folder note

Folder contains a note stating "This box contains almost all the old letters from Daniel B. Smith's desk when the latter was sent to a W.W. in May 1915" which appears to be signed G.W.S.

Charles Wharton's letter book, missing first 10-12 pages, 1779-1785.
Box 2 Folder 1
Charles Wharton's account book with Bank of Pennsylvania, 1794-1809.
Box 2 Folder 2
Account statements and promissory notes that were randomly stuck between pages in Charles Wharton's account book with Bank of Pennsylvania, 1738-1783.
Box 2 Folder 3
Charles Wharton's letter book, also containing some accounts and ledgers, 1809-1828.
Box 2 Folder 4
Wharton family letter book (unclear if belonged to Joseph, Charles, or one of his siblings due to lack of signatures and separate section written in different handwriting), 1766-1771.
Box 2 Folder 5
Index to shipping adventures and merchants who did business with Charles Wharton, Undated.
Box 2 Folder 6
Miscellaneous letters of Samuel Wharton, 1771-1773.
Box 2 Folder 7
Page from a book with sermon/prayer by J.W.G. de Brahm and English broadside for a new manufacturing device, 1793, undated.
Box 2 Folder 8
Period copies of letters between Thomas Penn and his nephew Springet Penn, and period copy of letter from unknown author to Richard Penn regarding William Penn, 1763, 1788.
Box 2 Folder 9
Miscellaneous letter fragments, receipts, and requests for payment, 1761-1824.
Box 2 Folder 10
Sealed statement by Rachel Wharton regarding inheritance of son Joseph, 1733.
Box 2 Folder 11
Letter of obligation/debt from Conrad Jones to Joseph Wharton, 1732.
Box 2 Folder 12
Letter from Colonel George Croghan to Joseph Wharton with numerous references to Colonel Washington, 1770.
Box 2 Folder 13
Letter from Levi Bardin to Charles Wharton Jr. regarding purchase of cheese, 1813.
Box 2 Folder 14
Promissory notes, correspondence between Joseph and Samuel Wharton, and letter of unknown origin to chief of Seneca tribe, 1739-1804.
Box 2 Folder 15
Documents relating to ship Sussex of Philadelphia and its captain Philip Atkins (mostly in French), 1795.
Box 2 Folder 16
Lists of "prices current" for London, Bristol, and North America, 1761-1768.
Box 2 Folder 17
Business correspondence between John & Arthur Burrows of St. Vincent and Antony Clarkson of Philadelphia, 1764-1776.
Box 2 Folder 18
Folder note

One of letters in folder makes reference to a "Dr. Franklin."

Shipping orders and business correspondence between John & Arthur Burrows and Antony Clarkson, 1769-1771.
Box 2 Folder 19
Letter of receipt of goods by William Barnes to William Wharton, 1768.
Box 2 Folder 20
Shipping invoices and account statements of Joshua Fisher and Sons, 1749-1768.
Box 2 Folder 21
Business correspondence, account statements, and miscellaneous documents pertaining to Joshua Fisher and Sons as well as other merchants, 1770-1796.
Box 2 Folder 22
Survey report on "Wharton Tract" in Pike Township, Pennsylvania with photos and accompanying map, 1927.
Box 2 Folder 23
Miscellaneous deeds, indentures, and inventories, 1735-1822.
Box 2 Folder 24
Bonds, indentures, and bills of lading of Wharton family, and marriage certificate of William Wharton Jr., 1716-1852.
Box 3 Folder 1
Account statements, business agreements, and miscellaneous documents of Joseph Wharton, 1730-1760.
Box 3 Folder 2
Bonds, debts, loans, as well as other business transactions of Charles Wharton, 1790-1820.
Box 3 Folder 3
Bills, receipts, and business correspondence of Joseph and Charles Wharton, 1732-1821.
Box 3 Folder 4
Folder note

Folder includes a bill from Doctor Physick, likely Philip Syng Physick, for medical services rendered.

Inventories, estate documents, receipts and correspondence, primarily of Charles Wharton but also Joseph Wharton, 1730-1814.
Box 3 Folder 5
Business correspondence and receipts, primarily of Charles Wharton but also William Wharton, 1809-1814.
Box 3 Folder 6
Deeds and receipts of George Painter and John and Hannah Carpenter, 1713-1728.
Box 3 Folder 7
Folder note

Hannah Carpenter (1711-1751) was the first wife of Joseph Wharton (1707-1776). Presumably, in light of year she was born and dates of these documents they were signed/executed by another Hannah Carpenter.

Miscellaneous Wharton family accounts and receipts, including receipts for annual dues to Library Company of Philadelphia, 1729-1776.
Box 3 Folder 8
Wharton family tax assessments and miscellaneous business transactions, and William Wharton donation to benefit poor of Philadelphia, 1771-1829.
Box 3 Folder 9
Wharton family personal letters, primarily between siblings and to their father, 1747-1813.
Box 3 Folder 10
Miscellaneous Wharton family estate documents, and 1848 copy of letter from Mary Pemberton to George Washington, 1787-1848.
Box 3 Folder 11
Folder label

Folder also contains letter from Governor William Bebb of Ohio to Daniel B. Smith about “the threatened outbreak against the colored population of Mercer County” (1847).

Wharton family correspondence, deeds, and indentures, and Robertson Trowbridge letter to Esther Morton Smith, 1719-1775, 1923.
Box 4 Folder 1
Wharton family deeds, agreements, and documents regarding estate of William Wharton, 1730-1812.
Box 4 Folder 2
Will of William Hudson; will and list of assets of Joseph Wharton; letter to Sally Smith, 1762, 1774, 1937.
Box 4 Folder 3
History of the Great Island and William Dunn, Its Owner, and Founder of Dunnstown by John F. Meginness, 1894.
Box 4 Folder 4
Miscellaneous Wharton family papers including business transactions, accounts, and surveys, 1705/6-1799, undated.
Box 4 Folder 5
Accounts, receipts, and deeds of Samuel, Thomas, and William Wharton, 1745-1790.
Box 4 Folder 6
Accounts, indentures, agreements, and receipts of Joseph Wharton, 1727-1760.
Box 4 Folder 7
Additional accounts, indentures, agreements, and receipts of Joseph Wharton, 1757-1773.
Box 4 Folder 8
Accounts, bills, and receipts of Charles Wharton, 1781-1815.
Box 4 Folder 9
Receipt book of William Redwood, listing payments received by Charles Wharton, 1795-1812.
Box 4 Folder 10
Joseph Wharton’s “true copy” taken from an original 1700/1 letter from William Penn to James Logan, 1767.
Box 4 Folder 11
Letter of indenture for property in Philadelphia leased by Joseph Wharton to Edward Crostin and Samuel Spencer Skinner (1 of 2), 1760.
Oversize Flat File 1
Letter of indenture for property in Philadelphia leased by Joseph Wharton to Edward Crostin and Samuel Spencer Skinner (2 of 2), 1760.
Oversize Flat File 2
Letter of indenture for loan by John and Mary Thomas to Valantine Himes, 1771.
Oversize Flat File 3

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