Sarah A. G. Smith collection on 18th century Philadelphia merchants
Collection 1864
1705/6-1937 (bulk 1713-1848)(1.6 Linear feet ; 4 boxes, 3 flat files )
Table of Contents
Summary Information
- Repository
- The Historical Society of Pennsylvania
- Creator
- Smith, Sarah A. G.
- Title
- Sarah A. G. Smith collection on 18th century Philadelphia merchants
- ID
- 1864
- Date
- 1705/6-1937 (bulk 1713-1848)
- Extent
- 1.6 Linear feet ; 4 boxes, 3 flat files
- Author
- Finding aid prepared by Mark D. Carnesi.
- Language
- English
- 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.
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.
Biographical note
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.
Scope and content note
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.
Administrative Information
Publication Information
The Historical Society of Pennsylvania ; 2015.
1300 Locust StreetPhiladelphia, PA, 19107
215-732-6200
Restrictions
The collection is open for research.
Provenance
Gift of Sarah A. G. Smith, 1962, 1966, 1969.
Related Materials
Related materials
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)
Controlled Access Headings
Personal Name(s)
- Wharton, Charles, 1744-1838.
- Wharton, Joseph, 1707-1776.
Subject(s)
- International trade--18th century.
- Merchants--Pennsylvania--Philadelphia--History.
- Merchants--United States--History--18th century.
- Shipping--Pennsylvania--Philadelphia--History
- Slave trade--United States--History--18th century
- United States--History--Revolution, 1775-1783--Economic aspects.
- United States--History--Revolution, 1775-1783--Quakers
Collection Inventory
| Box | Folder | |||
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Correspondence and statements of accounts of Lamar, Hill, Bisset & Company, and letters from Mary Lamar regarding her estate 1757-1798 |
1 | 1 | ||
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Miscellaneous correspondence, primarily of R.L. Bisset, mainly regarding dissolution of partnership 1792-1809 |
1 | 2 | ||
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Notebook with business transactions and reminders, likely belonging to Thomas Lamar, Henry Hill, or Robert Bisset 1763 |
1 | 3 | ||
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Correspondence between Henry Hill, Robert Bisset, and Marien Lamar 1756-1769 Folder noteFolder contains correspondence with the first noted references to the Wharton family in the collection. |
1 | 4 | ||
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Henry Hill household accounts from Madeira, and business correspondence of Lamar, Hill, Bisset & Company 1757-1797 |
1 | 5 | ||
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Letters and statements of accounts of Lamar, Hill, Bisset & Company 1770-1775 Folder noteFolder 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. |
1 | 6 | ||
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Letters, copies, and fragments of letters of Lamar, Hill, Bisset & Company 1780-1788 Folder noteFolder contains additional correspondence mentioning Robert Morris. |
1 | 7 | ||
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Private and business correspondence of Lamar, Hill, Bisset & Company, with several letters written from Calcutta 1790-1794 |
1 | 8 | ||
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Correspondence and accounts of Lamar, Hill, Bisset & Company 1794-1796 |
1 | 9 | ||
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Correspondence of Lamar, Hill, Bisset & Company, and arbitrators' award/order to cease "Controversies & Disputes" 1796-1798 Folder noteFolder contains an award letter (1797) prepared by two arbitrators between Hill, Bisset & Company and Mary Lamar ordering a cessation of all “Controversies and Disputes." |
1 | 10 | ||
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Letter fragments and detailed accounts of transactions of Lamar, Hill, Bisset & Company 1757-1804, 1915, undated Folder noteFolder 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. |
1 | 11 | ||
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Charles Wharton's letter book, missing first 10-12 pages 1779-1785 |
2 | 1 | ||
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Charles Wharton's account book with Bank of Pennsylvania 1794-1809 |
2 | 2 | ||
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Account statements and promissory notes that were randomly stuck between pages in Charles Wharton's account book with Bank of Pennsylvania 1738-1783 |
2 | 3 | ||
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Charles Wharton's letter book, also containing some accounts and ledgers 1809-1828 |
2 | 4 | ||
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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 |
2 | 5 | ||
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Index to shipping adventures and merchants who did business with Charles Wharton Undated |
2 | 6 | ||
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Miscellaneous letters of Samuel Wharton 1771-1773 |
2 | 7 | ||
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Page from a book with sermon/prayer by J.W.G. de Brahm and English broadside for a new manufacturing device 1793, undated |
2 | 8 | ||
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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 |
2 | 9 | ||
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Miscellaneous letter fragments, receipts, and requests for payment 1761-1824 |
2 | 10 | ||
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Sealed statement by Rachel Wharton regarding inheritance of son Joseph 1733 |
2 | 11 | ||
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Letter of obligation/debt from Conrad Jones to Joseph Wharton 1732 |
2 | 12 | ||
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Letter from Colonel George Croghan to Joseph Wharton with numerous references to Colonel Washington 1770 |
2 | 13 | ||
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Letter from Levi Bardin to Charles Wharton Jr. regarding purchase of cheese 1813 |
2 | 14 | ||
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Promissory notes, correspondence between Joseph and Samuel Wharton, and letter of unknown origin to chief of Seneca tribe 1739-1804 |
2 | 15 | ||
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Documents relating to ship Sussex of Philadelphia and its captain Philip Atkins (mostly in French) 1795 |
2 | 16 | ||
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Lists of "prices current" for London, Bristol, and North America 1761-1768 |
2 | 17 | ||
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Business correspondence between John & Arthur Burrows of St. Vincent and Antony Clarkson of Philadelphia 1764-1776 Folder noteOne of letters in folder makes reference to a "Dr. Franklin." |
2 | 18 | ||
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Shipping orders and business correspondence between John & Arthur Burrows and Antony Clarkson 1769-1771 |
2 | 19 | ||
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Letter of receipt of goods by William Barnes to William Wharton 1768 |
2 | 20 | ||
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Shipping invoices and account statements of Joshua Fisher and Sons 1749-1768 |
2 | 21 | ||
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Business correspondence, account statements, and miscellaneous documents pertaining to Joshua Fisher and Sons as well as other merchants 1770-1796 |
2 | 22 | ||
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Survey report on "Wharton Tract" in Pike Township, Pennsylvania with photos and accompanying map 1927 |
2 | 23 | ||
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Miscellaneous deeds, indentures, and inventories 1735-1822 |
2 | 24 | ||
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Bonds, indentures, and bills of lading of Wharton family, and marriage certificate of William Wharton Jr. 1716-1852 |
3 | 1 | ||
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Account statements, business agreements, and miscellaneous documents of Joseph Wharton 1730-1760 |
3 | 2 | ||
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Bonds, debts, loans, as well as other business transactions of Charles Wharton 1790-1820 |
3 | 3 | ||
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Bills, receipts, and business correspondence of Joseph and Charles Wharton 1732-1821 Folder noteFolder includes a bill from Doctor Physick, likely Philip Syng Physick, for medical services rendered. |
3 | 4 | ||
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Inventories, estate documents, receipts and correspondence, primarily of Charles Wharton but also Joseph Wharton 1730-1814 |
3 | 5 | ||
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Business correspondence and receipts, primarily of Charles Wharton but also William Wharton 1809-1814 |
3 | 6 | ||
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Deeds and receipts of George Painter and John and Hannah Carpenter 1713-1728 Folder noteHannah 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. |
3 | 7 | ||
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Miscellaneous Wharton family accounts and receipts, including receipts for annual dues to Library Company of Philadelphia 1729-1776 |
3 | 8 | ||
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Wharton family tax assessments and miscellaneous business transactions, and William Wharton donation to benefit poor of Philadelphia 1771-1829 |
3 | 9 | ||
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Wharton family personal letters, primarily between siblings and to their father 1747-1813 |
3 | 10 | ||
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Miscellaneous Wharton family estate documents, and 1848 copy of letter from Mary Pemberton to George Washington 1787-1848 Folder labelFolder 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). |
3 | 11 | ||
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Wharton family correspondence, deeds, and indentures, and Robertson Trowbridge letter to Esther Morton Smith 1719-1775, 1923 |
4 | 1 | ||
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Wharton family deeds, agreements, and documents regarding estate of William Wharton 1730-1812 |
4 | 2 | ||
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Will of William Hudson; will and list of assets of Joseph Wharton; letter to Sally Smith 1762, 1774, 1937 |
4 | 3 | ||
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History of the Great Island and William Dunn, Its Owner, and Founder of Dunnstown by John F. Meginness 1894 |
4 | 4 | ||
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Miscellaneous Wharton family papers including business transactions, accounts, and surveys 1705/6-1799, undated |
4 | 5 | ||
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Accounts, receipts, and deeds of Samuel, Thomas, and William Wharton 1745-1790 |
4 | 6 | ||
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Accounts, indentures, agreements, and receipts of Joseph Wharton 1727-1760 |
4 | 7 | ||
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Additional accounts, indentures, agreements, and receipts of Joseph Wharton 1757-1773 |
4 | 8 | ||
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Accounts, bills, and receipts of Charles Wharton 1781-1815 |
4 | 9 | ||
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Receipt book of William Redwood, listing payments received by Charles Wharton 1795-1812 |
4 | 10 | ||
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Joseph Wharton’s “true copy” taken from an original 1700/1 letter from William Penn to James Logan 1767 |
4 | 11 | ||
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| Oversize | ||||
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Letter of indenture for property in Philadelphia leased by Joseph Wharton to Edward Crostin and Samuel Spencer Skinner (1 of 2) 1760 |
Flat File 1 | |||
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Letter of indenture for property in Philadelphia leased by Joseph Wharton to Edward Crostin and Samuel Spencer Skinner (2 of 2) 1760 |
Flat File 2 | |||
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Letter of indenture for loan by John and Mary Thomas to Valantine Himes 1771 |
Flat File 3 | |||
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