Collections : [Connecticut Museum of Culture and History]

The collection consists of eight account books arranged in chronological order. All but one of the volumes document the activities of Samuel Arnold. These activities include trade in textiles, stone, timber and foodstuffs and services such as dressing cloth at the Buckley & Arnold factory, framing a barn, or carting men and material for the new courthouse. He noted when he lent or borrowed cash, what New Year’s presents he gave family members, and the execution of several land transactions, some involving land in Brooklyn, NY.

The dealer from whom the collection was purchased organized the papers by subject. That arrangement has been changed to more nearly reflect the individuals and vessels central to the collection. The two Noah Scovell’s were both called “Captain” at various times, so there may be occasions when correspondence has been assigned to the wrong individual. It was also impossible to separate business from personal correspondence. As a result, the correspondence has only been divided into incoming and outgoing, then by date.

The collection was given to the Connecticut Historical Society by Mr. Hayden R. Lathrop of Hartford, Connecticut. It consists of family and business letters, records of shad fishing on the Connecticut River (1805-1869), legal documents, and Warner family accounts (1803-1869). The fishing books itemize the number of fish caught by several individuals who probably worked for Selden Warner. The fishing records also indicate how much catch was delivered to various fish markets, including Fulton Fish Market in New York City. Financial records include bills, receipts, and accounts, including accounts with the proprietors of the Cover Fishery and the North Minorca Fishing Company.

The folders are arranged alphabetically and the material within each folder is arranged chronologically. The collection begins with assorted correspondence, which includes an order concerning plaster of Paris and fish, and then bills, receipts and promissory notes which are separated into Seymour family, Henry Seymour, Thomas Seymour and non-Seymour family. Among Thomas Seymour’s financial papers is an account with the Colony of Connecticut for his expenses as King’s Attorney, 1770-1771. Within his correspondence is a letter concerning a case between Baxter and Miller about the sale of a Negro man.

The collection primarily consists of financial and legal documents of a Somers, Connecticut family who were merchants and farmer. The papers were arranged chronologically by person, starting with the elder Ebenezer Spencer who is represented by land and probate records, 1738-1740. His son, Ebenezer, is represented by deeds and by his will, 1754-1800. The papers of Ezekiel Spencer, son of the second Ebenezer, consists of legal and estate records, 1815-1820 while the papers of his son Ezekiel Jr. concern some debt he found himself in, 1816, 1820.