DACS

]> mi1000-171 Inventory of the Middletown Manuscripts Collection, 1661 - 1937 Processed by: Kate Levy; machine-readable finding aid created by: Valerie Gillispie &hdrsca;

Machine-readable finding aid derived from XML authoring program. Date of source: February 2009 Description is in English Finding aid was prepared using DACS Inventory of the Middletown Manuscripts Collection, 1661 - 1937 Special Collections & ArchivesWesleyan University Middletown, CT, USA

Descriptive Summary Special Collections & Archives, Wesleyan University Wesleyan University (Middletown, Conn.) Middletown Manuscripts Collection, 1661 - 1937 1000-171 Material in English 0.75 2 For current information on the location of these materials, please consult Special Collections & Archives staff. The Middletown Manuscripts Collection is an intentionally created collection of disparate manuscripts related to the history of Middletown, Connecticut. The majority of this collection is 18th- and 19th-century documents from around the Middletown, Connecticut area, with some documents from the 17th- and 20th-centuries. Administrative Information Access Restrictions

No restrictions.

Copyright for Official University records is held by Wesleyan University; all other copyright is retained by the authors of items in these papers, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], Middletown Manuscripts Collection, Collection #1000-171, Special Collections & Archives, Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT, USA.

Acquisitions Information

Acquired from multiple sources prior to 1980.

Processing Information

Processed by Kate Levy, February 2009

Encoded by Valerie Gillispie, February 2009

Historical Note

The Middletown Manuscripts Collection is an intentionally created collection of disparate manuscripts related to the history of Middletown, Connecticut.

Collection Overview

The majority of this collection is 18th- and 19th-century documents from around the Middletown area, with some documents from the 17th- and 20th-centuries. Most of the documents contained in this collection are legal documents, such as deeds, petitions, issued tickets, bills, etc. There are documents about the railroad in Middletown, including the documents about the building process of the extension through Middletown. The shipping records in the collection include some information about the ships themselves, as well as some information about where they were coming from and who was part of the crew. There is a folder of financial information belonging to the Addis family, which is primarily a collection of bills for Miss Addis and all the purchases she made. Another folder has financial information related to the Doane family. There are two bound books in the collection. The first has very little written in it, but it includes some correspondence between father and son in the de Zeng family about financial issues. The second bound book is a detailed journal kept by Charles H. Neff about the discovery of Indian relics and old Indian settlements in and around the Middletown area.

Online Catalog Headings

These and related materials may be found under the following headings in online catalogs.

Middletown (Conn.)--History. Middlesex County (Conn.)--History. Shipping--Connecticut River. Wilcox, Crittenden & Co.--History. Railroad companies--United States. Paper money--United States. Addis family. De Zeng family. Neff, Charles H. Indians of North America--Material culture--Connecticut. Detailed Description of the Collection Wilcox, Crittenden & Co, Inc. Data

History and stories of the first grist mill in Middlesex County.

11 The early beginnings of the company, the first grist mill in Middlesex county, the oldest manufacturers of marine hardware in America, William Walter Wilcox, President, June 10, 1937 1 A brief history of the First Successful Application in the United States of America in the Hot Dip Process of Galvanizing, William Walter Wilcox, President, June 14, 1937 1 Yankee Ingenuity by Frank Wyman, Connecticut Yachtsman magazine, August 28, 1937 1 It's a long, long way to anywhere, when there's no sign post to guide you, 1914

The story of the old mill; Old Mill in the Lives of Our Forefathers; The Highway that runs by the Mill; Some Who Passed on the Old Road; Grinding the Old Stand; Inspecting Invited

Mansion-House Bills, E.W. Newton, Middletown, CT 12 Mr. L. L. Panosc

To E. W. Newton, Dr., for Board from Hon. A.H. Everett on August 2, 1898 for $3.73.

2 Mr. Deming

To E. W. Newton, Dr., for 3 meals and housekeeping on October 14, 1894 for $1.50.

School Association of the County of Middlesex 13 Constitution of the School Association of the County of Middlesex, 1799

18 articles. Accepted unanimously, Thaddeus Nichols, Secretary, Middletown, CT, February 7, 1799

Legal Documents: Deeds, Petitions, Grants 14 John Wilcox of Guilford, May 12, 1737

For the sum of 45 pounds and 14 shillings to Deliverance Warner and Mary Gaylord, Wilcox received 7 1/2 acres and 20 rods of land. Signed, sealed, delivered in the presence of Samuel Craval.

4 Mary Gaylord of Middletown, December 27, 1738

All common and undivided land of the East side of the River in South Middletown and gift of the heirs to her brother Deliverance Warner. Witnessed by Joseph Lockwell and Wm. Rockwell.

4 Abigail Cooper of Middletown, February 2, 1747

For 21 pounds and 5 shillings from John Cooper (her son) for 4 acres and 39 rods on the East side of the Connecticut River.

4 Stephen Bishop of Middletown, April 20, 1747

For 300 pounds from William Southmayo (?) for 7 acres on the West side of the Connecticut River.

4 George Romney of Middletown, June 26, 1751

For 350 pounds from John Cooper for 6 acres on the East side of the Connecticut River. Witnessed by Seth Rockwell and Timothy Cornwall.

4 February 2, 1756 death certificate

Javez Hamlin, Esq. To Thomas Bliss, whereas Daniel Bliss deceased.

4 George Stillman, August 26, 1765

For 6 pounds and 10 shillings form Sylvanus Waterman and Seth Knowles for 2 ½ acres on the East side of the Connecticut River. Witnessed by Joseph White and Isaac Waterman. 1 copy for 18 pounds; 1 copy for 7 pounds and 10 shillings; and 1 copy for 43 pounds and 1 shilling.

4 Jacob Whitmore, December 23, 1766

250 pounds from Cap. Sam Russell for 3/4 acre.

4 Bezaleel Latimer and Nancy Latimer, November 20, 1797

For 130 pounds from Justus Riley of Wethersfield for 26 acres and 26 rods.

4 Nathaniel Merriam, April 8, 1799

For $300 from Benjamin Merriam for 16 acres and 29 rods in Wallingford. Witnessed by Sam Woodruff and J. Atwater.

4 Thomas and Rhoda Griswold, James and Mary Smith, October 26, 1803

For $1 from Samuel Tudor of East Windsor for land 3 miles in length and 33 rods in width in East Windsor.

4 To the Honorable Superior Court next to be holden, by special resolve of the Legislature of the State of Connecticut, at Middletown, within and for the county of Middlesex, on the fourth Tuesday in August, A.D. 1829

A list of debts and to whom they are owed for an unknown person, by his attorneys, Storrs and Mather, dated July 13, 1829. With a summon to those owed money to the court by judge of the superior court, Stephen T. Hosmer.

4 William Boardman, September 18, 1877

New Haven, Middletown, and Willimantic Railroad Company. Signed William Boardman.

Miller document 4 Goodman Miller, January 21, 1661

The town granted him 10 acres.

4 Thomas Miller, May 29, 1667

The town accepted Thomas Miller's gift of a highway.

4 Thomas Miller, November 26, 1668

The town grants him the liberty of the river above the mill to dig and dam for preserving water.

4 Thomas Miller, December 19, 1677

The town exchanges a piece of land, rod for rod, to enlarge the highway to the mill.

4 Goodman Miller, February 12, 1679 or 1680

The town granted to exchange a parcel of land by the mill.

4 Thomas Miller, February 1, 1710 or 1711

The town granted him 1 1/2 acres near the mill.

Shipping, 18th century

Bills for shipping, financial notes, and salary notes of ships traveling in and out of Middletown.

15 August 2, 1796, Middletown

Benjamin Williams to Dr. William Stam

5 June 5, 1759, Middletown

Sugar sales, a bargain for a friend. Letter from Comfort Sage to Mr. Sam Cotton.

5 August 2, 1796, New London

To Capt. Williams from John Andrews (for $9) and Stephen Northlus (for $50).

5 May 3, 1796, Middletown

To William Jepson for 15 nights on Sloop Scrub's 2nd voyage.

5 May 2, 1796, Middletown

To John Williams.

5 May 2, 1796, Middletown

To William Scovel.

5 April 22, 1796

Capt. Benjamin Williams to John Nolls.

5 April 30, 1796

To John Harris.

5 April 21, 1796

John Williams Master. Boat of Ebenezer Sage, captain.

5 April 20, 1796

Capt. John Williams to George Starrs.

5 April 29, 1796

To Israel Driggs from Capt. Benjamin Williams.

5 August 10, 1796, Middletown

Capt. Benjamin Williams to John Daniels, James Daniels, John Williams, B. Williams, Josiah Scifile, Simon Taylor for wages. List of the ship's costs, including wages totaling $378.14.

Shipping, 19th century

Tickets for trips on ships and boats, legal documents in regard to shipping and seamen.

16 Connecticut River Valley Steam-Boat ticket, January 20, 1831

20 miles travel, Windsor, JW Hubbard.

6 Steam Boat Oliver Ellsworth, September 1, 1829

Ticket entitles Richard Hubbard 1 passage between Middletown and Hartford.

6 November 8, 1820

Shipping from Middletown to New York, names illegible.

6 Middletown Insurance Company, December 13, 1803

William C. Hall, Middletown to Charlston, South Carolina. Jason Goodwin, master of the voyage. Amount insured: $1700. Signed by Benjamin Williams and A. Miller, secretary.

6 An Act for the Government and Regulation of Seamen on the Merchants Service, July 20, 1790 (document approved)

Signed in Middletown August 6, 1801.

6 Extract of an Act for the Relief and Protection of American Seaman

Report and manifest of the cargo laden on board of the Schooner F.H.C. where of Chancy Barnard is master, taken on board at the port of St. Croix bound for the port of Middletown, May 20, 1804. List of packages and contents.

6 An Act for the Government and Regulation of Seamen in the Merchant Service

Signed January 16, 1806 by James Seymour, Edward Dodge, James Barnard. Bound for the port of Barbados and Back, 1805. Chancy Barnard, master; Edward Dodge, mate; James Barnard, seaman; James C., seaman; David S., seaman; Thomas Curtis, seaman; Silas Stewart, cook; and James Seymour, cook. Wages totaling $271.98.

Railroads: Receipts and Notices

Receipts and notices of the building and expansion of the railroad in and around Middletown.

17 Ticket issued by New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad Company, February 13, 1891

1 first class passage to Washington, D.C. from Philadelphia.

7 July 6, 1848, Middletown

Received from William G. Buell of Chatham sum of $2.50, the 2nd installment on 5 shares of Capital Stock in the New York & Boston Railroad Company. Signed Stephen Taylor, Treasurer.

7 New York & Boston Railroad Notice, June 29, 1848

Locations for railroad in Connecticut. Signed H. Closson.

7 July 22, 1858

To Rachel Penny and Charles R. Alsop of Middletown, executors and trustees under the last will and testament of George Penny.

7 The Middletown Extension Railroad Company

Letter to those who may have had objections to the proposed location of the railroad: Description of where the railroad will go with a promise of a meeting with the general railroad commissions on August 25, 1858 in Middletown for the people to object.

7 August 25, 1849

Letter to those who may have had objections to the proposed location of the railroad: from the Middletown Railroad Company to Berlin, Middletown, some individuals out of the area and some corporations stating where they plan to build the railroad. Signed Ebenezer White.

7 July 2, 1849

Letter to those who may have had objections to the proposed location of the railroad: from Middletown Railroad Company to Berlin, Middletown, some individuals out of the area, and some corporations stating where they plan to build the railroad. Signed William M. Ward.

Paper money, stampless cover, etc.

Bank promises of payment.

18 March 10, 1785

The State of Connecticut owes 11 pounds and 14 shillings to Comfort Sage and promises to pay by March 10, 1788 with an interest of 6% per year. Signed I. Lawrence, treasurer.

8 June 1, 1782

Connecticut owes Abigail Hubbard 19 pounds and 10 shillings to be paid by June 1, 1786 with lawful interest. Signed I. Lawrence, treasurer.

8 February 1, 1781

Connecticut owes Abraham Doolittle 10 pounds and 17 shillings to be paid on or before the end of the year with 6% interest per year. Signed I. Lawrence, treasurer.

Paper Money 8 February 10, 1815, Middletown Bank

20 cent notice. Signed by cashier and N. Hubbard, president.

8 May 1, 1819, Middletown Bank

Promise to pay I. Mason $10. Signed by cashier and N. Hubbard, president.

8 February 1, 1816, Middletown Bank

3 cent note. Signed by cahier and N. Hubbard, president.

8 November 7, 1856, Middletown Bank

$3. Signed by F.G. Gleason, cashier, and Watkinson, president.

8 May 1, 1819, Middletown Bank

Promise to pay J. West $10. Signed by cashier and Nathan Hubbard, President.

8 Stampless cover: November 29, Middletown

A stampless cover was an envelope that was posted before the time when the use of postage stamps became mandatory for sending mail (January 1, 1856). 3 cents paid. Miss Frances Baker, Port Byron, NY. Envelope with no letter.

8 Naboth Lewis of Middletown has manufactured 2 ½ pounds of silk from worms of his own raising the summer past, May 9, 1791

Registered in the front office, September 29, 1791 for 6 shillings and 8 pence. Signed Dodd and Joshua Stow.

Miscellaneous 19 January 23, 1816

Humphrey Pratt of Saybrook has paid the duty of $1, for the year, to end of the 31st day of December next, for a two wheel carriage owned by him and the harness used. Signed L. Stow, collector of the Revenue for the 6th collection district of Connecticut.

9 January 23, 1816

A bound book of financial information for the Ecclesiastical Society of Middletown, payable by November 1, 1799.

9 June 23, 1813

I, William M.H., one of the bishops of the Methodist Episcopal Church have set this day apart Edward Hyde for the office of an elder in the Methodist Episcopal Church (a recommendation).

9 Appointment certificate of Peter Comstock, Esq. to the position of Post-Master in the office of River Head in the county of New London, January 1816

Return J, Megis, Junior Post-Master General of the United States of America. Signed January 1816 by R.J. Megis and Stephen Gray, clerk.

9 June 13, 1892

To R.E. Thompson from J.S. Stewart, Dr., printer and bookbinder. Bill for 1000 YMCA notes.

9 July 1, 1892

Bill to Mr. R.W. Raymond from Lucius R. Hazen, wholesale and retail bookseller, stationer and news dealer, for a cash box.

9 April 12, 1894

Bill to Wesleyan YMCA building from J.S. Stewart for 400 receipts.

Addis Family

Bills and other financial documents.

110 January 23, 1862

Be it known that the Miner Cemetery Association of Middletown in considerations of $10 received from William H. Addis for lot #102. Signed by Joel M. Clark, justice of the peace, Herbert Smith, James Smith, president, and Julius S. Bacon, secretary.

10 Miner Cemetery Association, March 30, 1870

William H. Addis is entitled to 1 share of the capital stock of the Miners Cemetery Association. Signed James Smith, president.

10 July 1, 1897

F. Brewer & Co., Dry Goods Exclusively. Bill for Miss Addis.

10 August 9, 1897