Collections : [The Litchfield Historical Society]

16th Regiment Orderly Book (2011-88-0) is a collection of orders for the 16th Regiment of the Connecticut State Infantry.

The 17th Regiment Orderly Book (2011-89-0) was maintained from May 1, 1816 to Sept 3, 1827. The book contains general rolls which start May 1, 1816 and end May 7, 1827. The rolls list every member of the regiment that year, when they joined, and reason for removals from the regiment. There are a few orders at the end of the book.

Letter from Aaron Burr in New York dated 17 May 1820 to George Marsh in Albany regarding business arrangements and George Marsh's good fortune in Albany.

The A.B. and T.G. Beach account book (1970-89-0) was maintained between the years 1872 and 1896. The front half of the ledger contains records of marriages and death's. The back half of the book contains records of estate auctions.

Appraised inventory of household furnishings and building construction belonging to Abby M. Wiggin in Litchfield, Conn.

Abel Brace of Hartland (Conn.) is summoned to appear before Samuel Bostwick, Litchfield County Justice of the Peace in New Milford regarding the collection of taxes for the Church of England. With an apeal by Thomas Davis Oct. 5, 1764.

A letter from Abel Catlin in Litchfield, Conn. dated Sept. 2, 1823 to Joseph Burrows in New York concerning William Grimes desire to purchase his freedom from T.H. Welman. A response dated 6 Sept.1823 on the same document from Joseph Burrows with instructions to make a payment of $500 to Mr. William H. Thompson in cash and security.

A printed page: "An elegy on the death of Abel Curtis, son of Mr. Daniel Curtis, jun. of Southbury, who departed this life, November the 11th day, A.D. 1774" with a poem of 23 verses and an epitaph.

Deed to Phebe Ann Bierce for land in Harwinton, Conn.

A fragment of a page of an account apparently by Abraham Bradley, Society treasurer. Signed by Oliver Wolcott and Lynde Lord, Society Committee in Litchfield in [missing] 1773, and in Jan 1777 by Reuben Smith and Edward Phelps, Committee and Abraham Bradley, treasurer.There are expenses for Rate Bill collection by Thomas Catlin, abatements, and receipt for [Rev. Judah] Champion's salary.

A small note from A. Lincoln to L. Wessells, pro marshal 4th Dist Conn. for the release of John H. Bostwick of Salisbury, a deserter from the draft.

Account Book (1973-68-7) of a bookstore or general store.

Account Book (1973-76-10) used through the years 1789 to 1803.

Account Book (1972-109-3) documents transactions of an unknown blacksmith. The book is organized chronologically, and the entries included the name of the customer, sometimes a description of the job, and the price. The book may have been used as a scrapbook.

Personal account book (2011-119-0) contains entries for money lent, sent out, and brought in. The entries are organized chronologically and provide the date of the transaction, who the money was given to or taken from, what the transaction as for, and the amount of money.

Account Book (2011-120-0) for an unidentified general store from April 22, 1839 through March 25, 1840. The entries include the names with whom the transaction was made, the items purchased, the method of payment (i.e. cash), and sometimes the amount of money for each item and the total.

Account book (2011-93-0) dated 1863 through 1867, creator unknown. Includes transactions organized by date. The keeper of the records also noted what the transaction was and the amount of cash involved.

Account book (2011-98-00) contains entries for the years 1867 and 1868. The book lists out individual's names, items of purchases, and amount. The maintainer of the records also notes if the amount has been paid. Page one heading is Thomaston, Ct. October 2, 1867.

Account book (2011-102-0) 1868-1872 from a business in Norfolk.

Account book (2011-98-0) dated 1867 and 1868. Includes an inventory of goods and money. The remainder of the book includes daily recordings of names, transactions, and monetary amounts.

Account book (2011-101-0) of a butcher, contains transactions for the years 1879 and 1880. The majority of the entries are for meat, or other fresh food items such as potatoes, onions, and lard. Each customer's account contains the dates that transactions were made, the items purchased, and the cost of each. Contans Litchfield peoples names. Appears to be related to account book (2011-100-0).

Account book (2011-100-0) of a butcher containing transactions for the years 1880 and 1881. The majority of the transactions are for meat, or other fresh food items such as oysters and onions. Each customer's account contains the dates that transactions were made, the items purchased, and the cost of each. Contains some Litchfield people. Appears to be related to account book (2011-101-0)

Account books (1949-40-0) contain financial and transaction records for the years 1840 through 1849 for a drugstore or dry good store. Daily business is recorded with notations of customer's names, what they purchased and the cost.

The personal papers of the Adams Family, including Joseph Adams (1767-1856); his son, Charles Adams (1805-1883); children of Charles Adams, including Julia Adams How Wessells (1842-1904), Mary Adams Wheelock (1838-1895), and Charles Adams Jr. (1845-1864); other family members; and friends and business associates. The collection consists primarily of correspondence.

Papers relating to the Adams family of Litchfield, including Joseph Adams (1764-1856); one of his sons, Charles Adams (1805-1883); and others, consisting primarily of genealogical materials and obituaries.

Papers relating to the Adams family of Litchfield, including Joseph Adams (1764-1856); one of his sons, Charles Adams (1805-1883); and others, consisting primarily of genealogical materials and obituaries.

The personal papers of the Adams Family, including Joseph Adams (1767-1856); his son, Charles Adams (1805-1883); children of Charles Adams, including Julia Adams How Wessells (1842-1904), Mary Adams Wheelock (1838-1895), and Charles Adams Jr. (1845-1864); other family members; and friends and business associates. The collection consists primarily of correspondence.

A silk badge printed with the busts of John Adams, born Oct. 19, 1735 and Thomas Jefferson, born April 2, 1743. Both died July 4, 1826. Engraved by "Bown and Hoogland, sculpt "

The Addie Stephens Ray friendship album (1966-09-0) was given to Addie Stephens (later the wife of William Ray) by Leonard W. Bacon in Litchfield, Connecticut on September 7, 1860. The album contains signatures and versus from friends. The signatures were collected from the year 1860 through 1862 in various locations such as Litchfield, CT, Saratoga Springs,NY, Hartford, CT and New Marlboro, MA.

Deeds relating to the former Tallmadge Store property on North Street later owned in the twentieth century by the Adenaws. Also two wills.

One folder of brochures and other ephemera related to Litchfield area businesses and points of interest and Connecticut's tercentenary.

Two playscripts written by Alain C. White: a minstrel show dated 1917 containing many references to Litchfield and its residents and an adaptation of "Alice Through the Looking Glass," co-written by Miss Jay, undated. Both playscripts are annotated and include roles played by residents.

Printed circular signed by Albert Gallatin of the Treasury Dept., dated 27 Aug 1802 which was attached to a copy of the regulations concerning the Mississipi trade, and a letter from Albert Gallatin dated Paris 27 March 1815 to an unknown person concerming the authorization of Mr. Todd to draw money from the recipient's banks account. Requests an order be sent to Dover for himself and his baggage to prevent interaction and search.

The Albert Milford Turner papers (1961-02-0) are comprised primarily of documents and photographs Albert Turner assembled durng his early years as Field Secretary and Secretary of the Conn. State Park Commission, later the Conn. State Park and Forest Commission. Also included are some of his writings about Litchfield and Northfield and topics he was interested in.

Sedgwick informs Leonard Wells, warden of the Connecticut State Prison, that there are two prisoners in the county jail sentenced to the state prison awaiting transfer and that it is wrong to hove them kept there at public expense.

A. Hamilton received $124.50 from Nathaniel Prime "in full for interest to this day". Dated Feb. 15, 1802.

Manuscript drafts of "An Historical Sketch of Old Pewter Ware, Foreign and American" by Alice T. Bulkeley.

Deed to Julia B. Smith land in Litchfield, Conn.

The Almira Collins Giddings album (1874-35-1) is comprised of three loose album pages. Each album page contains pressed leaves and flowers collected by Almira Collins Giddings from Niagra Falls and Litchfield in 1848. Included are items from Miss (Sarah) Pierce, as well as the family burying of Mr. F. Wolcott.

The Alonzo N. Lewis scrapbook (1961-39-0) contains newspaper clippings from the year 1852 through 1855. The small album contains thirty-two pages of newspaper clippings from the Litchfield Republican, Litchfield Enquirer, and The Tribune. The majority of the clippings are composed of verses, sermons, essay and editorials, and a composition titled "Masonic Ode." A contents list is handwritten in at the back of the scrapbook which lists out the articles included in the scrapbook.

This collection is primarily comprised of letters written from Stone to his wife and daughter during his service in the Union army during the Civil War.

A certificate from the Dartmouth Medical Society stating that Alvin Foord was elected as an Acting Member. Dated 14 Dec 1820 and signed by the President, Josiah Skinner and Corr. Secretary Israel Herrick.

Records of the American Revolution Bicentennial Commission of Litchfield are in two series. Series 1. Thomas Babbitt, chairman: Correspondence, minutes, subject files, decals, ephemera, drawings, and other materials. Series 2. Barbara MacDonald, commission member: Correspondence, minutes, subject files, decals, ephemera, a photograph, drawings, publications, and other materials. Also included are objects, such as a key chain, a bumper sticker, and playing cards.

The A.M. Gillon Album (2011-95-0) is a small collection of poetry. On the third page there is a handwritten title "Selections of Poetry 1832." The book contains four poems; one poem by Henry Kirk White and three poems written by Sarah Pogson Smith. The last poem in the book, dated August 4th 1842, appears to be about Litchfield, Connecticut.

Deed from Amos and Isaac Moss of Litchfield to John McNiel and Moses Wheeler of Litchfield for 50 acres of land in Litchfield. Witnessed by Moses Seymour and Seth Landon, Justice of Peace.

Andrew Jackson in Washington acknowledges the letter of W. H. Peck in Brooklyn and thanks him for the gift of a hat made by Peck.

Note dated Canaan, 16 August 1780 from Andrew Lester to the Honorable Committee of Pay Table requesting that the balance of pay due to him in the service of the Continental Army be paid to Mr. Sofford Stevens. Witnessed by Elisha Baker, Justice of Peace, Canaan, Litchfield County.

Connecticut military commission to Andrew Perkins appointed lieutenant in the Eighth Co. of the Alarm List in the 20th Regiment. Signed by Jonathan Trumbull, Captain General and Commander in Chief for the State of Connecticut.

Statement of remembrance regarding opening his first checking account in 1974, Sep. 8, 2000.

"An Eulogy on Alexander Metcalf Fisher," 1998-41-0, is a printed pamphlet of a eulogy delivered on June 26, 1822 at the Yale College Chapel, delivered by James L. Kingsley. Inside the cover is written in ink the name, "Lydia Dillwyn." On page 19 there is a handwritten note in pencil which reads, "Prof. Kingsley has (very properly) omitted to state the fact his lamented colleague was engaged to be married to an interesting young woman of Litchfield, Connecticut and that in the will he left behind him, he bequeathed her what little property he possessed. JG."

An inventory of Anna A. Baldwin's estate, particularly notes and interest due to the estate. Listed items are dated 1827 to 1835. No location is indicated.

Two poems written by Anna Seward: "Address to the River Tweed, on Mr. Scott's Having Chosen His Habitation on Its Banks" dated Lichfield, April 17, 1805; and "The Grave of Youth", undated. These are probably from Lichfield, England

The Anne Lyon Haight papers (2013-127-0) consist of newspaper clippings, letters, airline brochures, memorabilia, and photographs of airplane trips taken by Mrs. Sherman Haight. These trips include the maiden flight of a Pan-American Clipper seaplane from Miami to Cristobal, Panama Canal Zone in November 1931 that made stops in Cuba, Jamaica and Barranquilla, Columbia and was piloted by Charles Lindbergh. Also a trip on a Pan American Dixie Clipper which was the first commercial passenger trip across the Atlantic, leaving Port Jefferson, Long Island on June 29, 1939. In 1944, Mrs. Haight went to Colombia and Ecuador, South America on a Pan American plane to join Joselyn Crane, a researcher for the New York Zoological Society. And she was on another first - the first Pan American jet flight to Europe - in 1958.

This collection consists of Smith family papers, primarily Lemuel Smith and his family, who lived in the Northfield section of Litchfield. Within the collection are deeds, a few financial records and probate records, and a surveyor's record book (1807).

Marshall Field and Company department store advertising pamphlet, circa 1920; three World War II ration books; three illustrated pages (may have been part of a book); newspaper clipping, "Butler Announces Lindy's Baby Dead"; five unidentified (non-family) daguerreotypes; twenty slides marked "Cambridge, OH small town parade with many old cars, vintage gas station and motel."

Proclamation of the Town of Litchfield that Oct. 21, 1984, be designated Anson Dickinson Day, signed by Charles A. Dobos, First Selectman.

Correction of the Records of the survey of 15 acres laid out to Captain Archibald McNiele as recorded in the 3rd book of Litchfield land records, pg. 39. Resurveyed by Charles McNiele, son of Archibald. Property south of the Seymour Meadow. Signed by Isaac Bissell and Asahel Strong, Committee and attested by Moses Seymour, register.

The Architectural Survey of Litchfield, Connecticut (2012-32-0) consists of individual survey reports on houses and buildings in Litchfield, 9 survey maps, and 8 acetate copies of George Browne's Map of Litchfield, created during the 1930s-40s (copies are availalble for study as is a key to these maps which is with the accession records). The Greater Litchfield Preservation Trust conducted the architectural survey in 1986-1987. The Greater Litchfield Preservation Trust in a volunteer group that funds preservation studies and invests in historic buildings in Litchfield. It began in an effort to save the 19th century post office building.

Black and white aerial photograph taken of Arethusa Farm on Webster Road, Litchfield, Conn. The view is from the south and includes farm buildings and residences. The photograph was taken by John Carter, Winsted, Conn.

Two letters from Asa Bacon of Litchfield, Conn., to his cousin, Peyton Randolph Gilbert of Hebron, Conn., primarily relating to the deaths of Bacon's three sons.

Deed from Asahel Thomas, Granville Smith, and Abigail Smith to James B. Peck for land in Litchfield, Conn.

Asa Hopkins of Litchfield promises to pay Mr. James Jauncey of New York City the sum of 332 pounds twelve shillings and three pence New York currency. Witnessed by J. Canfield and Lynde Lord in Litchfield.

"As Delia is to Me" (2011-77-0) is a piece of sheet music containing three verses of the song. On the front piece of the sheet is the music and the first verse. The other verses are on the reverse.

Deed to James B. Peck for land in Litchfield, Conn.

Undated letter from [A. S. Porter?] to Henry P. Andrews, author of "The descendants of John Porter, of Windsor, Conn. in the line of his great, great grandson, Col. Joshua Porter M.D., of Salisbury, Litchfield County, Conn." in which he discusses the genealogy of the Porter and Buel families.

A handwritten copy of the Resolution to form the Society copied 18 April 1864 from the United States Chronicle June 25, 1789, printed at Providence, Rhode Island.

Papers relating to the Babbit family, including Eleanor Babbitt (1898-1994) and Col. Samuel H. Fisher (1867-1957). Col. Fisher's daughter Margaret Crossette Fisher married Eleanor Babbitt's brother Theodore Babbitt on June 17, 1922, in Litchfield.

The Baldwin family photo album (1974-49-0) is a nineteenth century photograph album and contains photos related to the Baldwin family. The item is currently housed in 3A Box 4.

Promissory note for 1,000 pounds sterling signed by Nicholas Biddle and Joseph Cowperthwait payable at the bank's agency in London.

The Bantam Episcopal Society Records (1971-78-23) document the Episcopal Society's building of a church in Bantam, Connecticut. There are seven items in this collection that document records of subscribers, records of meetings, and contracts. The collection also includes an assortment of receipts.

Two Bantam Lake postcards with messages on reverse.

Bantam Lumber Company, Inc. woodwork catalog and receipt for lumber.

Photograph of unidentified building, possibly a church.

The Bartow and Bull families photo album (1971-53-0) contains photographs from the years 1901-1917. A large portion of the photographs are of the Bartow family on a fishing trip in French-Canada. Also included in the album are photographs of the County Fair in Cortland, New York in 1902 and a visit with Grace Bull in Cortland, New York in 1917.

Invoice for shipment of bacon to J. Hammon of Litchfield, CT.

Papers related to the Litchfield families of Beach, Webster, and Dickinson. In 1916, Bessie Rachel Beach (1893-1976) married Leonard Dickinson (1895-1946). The parents of Bessie were Milo D. Beach (1861-1959) and Louisa Webster Beach (1862-1951). The papers relate to these three family lines.

Business records related to B/E Aerospace, which had operated facilities manufacturing aircraft seating and related interior components in Bantam and Litchfield. The company first came to Connecticut when the Warren McArthur Corporation relocated its factory from Rome, N.Y. to the borough of Bantam in 1938, manufacturing at that time a very distinctive style of anodized aluminum furniture particularly popular in Hollywood. With the onset of World War II, the firm shifted its manufacturing output to aircraft seating. After the war, the Warren McArthur Corp. was unable to readjust and declared bankruptcy in 1948. Emerging as the Aerotherm Corp. in 1950, the company continued to produce aircraft seating. The line expanded to include other interior aircraft components as the company was acquired and renamed a number of times over the next 42 years, including Aerotec Industries, UOP Aerospace Division, PTC Aerospace, and finally, in 1992, B/E Aerospace. In 2002, following a major downturn in aircraft manufacturing in the months after the September 11 terrorist attacks, B/E Aerospace permanently closed the Litchfield and Bantam facilities and shifted their operations to facilities in Ireland and North Carolina.

Two notes from Benedict Arnold to James Hayt, his Canadian fiduciary.

Receipt from B. and S. DeMilt in New York, dated 1823 Jun 12 to Mr. Demming for one Patent Lever watch made by M.J. Tobias in Liverpool.

Certification by Samuel Catlin, a surgeon, that Benjamin Gibbs, Jr. is unfit for military service due to lameness in his right foot.

Two deeds to William F. Baldwin for land in Litchfield, Conn.

The Benjamin Tallmadge Collection documents the personal life and professional career of Colonel Benjamin Tallmadge through his correspondence as well as his legal, financial, and personal papers. An army officer, chief intelligence officer, and organizer of the Culper spy ring during the Revolutionary War, Tallmadge became a businessman and U.S. Representative from Connecticut in Congress after the war.

Letter regarding a payment. Also included are bank check from Tallmadge to Samuel Buel in the amount of $1700; a calling card of Thomas R. Proctor; and an engraving of Tallmadge.

A printed broadside enlisting subscribers for an octavio volume by Benjamin Trumbull with the title "A complete history of Connecticut, from the time of the emigration of its first planters from England, in 1630, to 1712." to be printed by Hudson and Goodwin, Hartford, Conn.

Small collection of items that consists of Sixth Annual Ball of the Bantam Fire Company program (1921); Camp Wonponset brochure (1910); The Bantam Bell newspaper (1920); M. H. Hallee letter to Barber Lynn.

A handwritten list of men who received knapsacks, both new and old, with the price and whether it was paid or not paid. The date and place are uncertain but it is possible that it was from Vermont during the Civil War as some names may be matched to that state and time period.

Bills of Frederick Wiggin (1977-34-0) includes 21 bills for goods purchased from mainly Litchfield businesses between 1879-1890 (there is one bill from Paris in 1890). Among the businesses included are Albert L. Judd, F.D. McNeil and Co., E.E. Champlin, Echo Farm, and R.E. Tyrrell.

Letters and deeds of the Bird family, mostly John Bird and Dr. Seth Bird.

Watercolor rendering.

The papers of the Bissell and Bissell-Baldwin families, including family members, friends, and business associates. The collection consists of correspondence, business records, account books, and other records. Papers from the time period 1760-1840 have been processed and described (see the finding aid). The remaining papers have been partially processed and are described generally in this scope and content note.

The Boardman & Seymour Records (2009-75-0) consist of correspondence, bills, legal documents, licenses to sell liquor, orders, receipts, statements of accounts and other business records. Daniel Boardman (1757-1833), New York City businessman and merchant, his brother Elijah Boardman (1760-1823), New Milford businessman and merchant, and Moses Seymour Jr. (1774-1826), Litchfield merchant and town official, maintained a partnership to operate a store in Litchfield in which they sold "a variety of Dry and West-India Goods, suitable for all seasons; consisting of almost every article usually retailed in a Country Store," according to a Dec. 17, 1794, advertisement in the Litchfield Monitor. The partnership was dissolved in 1804, according to a Nov. 21 newspaper advertisement.

Record of the Board of Relief of the Town of Litchfield listing persons indebted to residents of this state, abatements of poll tax, miscellaneous alterations of list, abatements on assessment, and persons to whom the board added money at interest.

Bolles and Wells write to S. J. Lewis of Naugatuck, Conn., to say they do not accept a box of overshoes on his terms.

The Bostwick and Weed account book (2011-123-0) dates from 1835-1839. One of the parties may have continued using this ledger after the firm's dissolution in 1837. Products listed include shoes, meat, wood, and leather. The factory was in the South Farms section of Litchfield, now the town of Morris.

"Abstract of title to forge property in Bradleyville made by G.C. Woodruff in 1831." A chart of the owners from 11 Feb. 1729 to 6 Feb. 1837.

Family records from a Bible starting with Samuel G. Braman's birth in 1801. Baptism certificates from St. Michael's church, Litchfield, Conn. for Samuel Gager Braman in 1836, Caroline Maria Braman in 1834, William Edward Hooker in 1866. Also certificates for William E. Hooker as Deacon in Calvary church in Syracuse, NY.

This Breeding Card for a jersey bull (2011-45-0) advertises "Lord St. Vincent" a prize winning bull from F. Ratchford Starr's Echo Farm in Litchfield, Connecticut.

Brigadier General James Hamilton's receipt for 208 rations of provisions received of Jonathan Clarke, Asst. Commissary General for the convention troops, for the use of Hamilton, commencing 1 March and ending 3 April. Dated Cambridge, New England 3 April 1778.

Papers relating to the Brown and Johnson families and related lineages of Litchfield, Naugatuck, Torrington and elsewhere consisting of original and copied source materials. The materials comprised ten binders and include 18th and 19th century publications, such as Hutchins' Revived Almanac (1814), Old Farmer's Almanac (1835), Centennial Exposition guide (1876); correspondence; family records and cerificates; bills and receipts; clippings; genealogical information; and photographs, including cartes-de-viste, cabinet cards, and tintypes, circa 1860s-1960s.

The Buell and Wheeler prescription book (1972-135-0) was maintained from 1876 through 1879. The book contains prescriptions that were filled at the pharmacy of Buell and Wheeler in Litchfield, Connecticut.