Colt and Donaldson archives
Abstract
The collection contains the correspondence and financial records of the mercantile firm Colt and Donaldson who supplied Baltimore and Philadelphia with agricultural and other general merchandise.
Important Information for Users of the Collection
This collection is open for research.
Colt and Donaldson archives, Special Collections, University of Maryland Libraries.
Photocopies of original materials may be provided for a fee and at the discretion of the curator. Please see our Duplication of Materials policy for more information. Queries regarding publication rights and copyright status of materials within this collection should be directed to the appropriate curator.
This collection is PROCESSED.
Historical Note
[Little is known about the firm of Colt and Donaldson. The following history is drawn from the collection itself and the general history of the region.]
The nineteenth-century mercantile firm of Colt and Donaldson supplied Philadelphia and Baltimore with agricultural products and other general merchandise through agents in Baltimore and Philadelphia. With the development of railroad lines connecting the backcountry with the major cities, Cold and Donaldson began to flourish. Based in Danville, Pennsylvania, the company involved in bringing the cities products that were immediately available in Danville's hinterland and Columbia County but were in strong demand in the cities. The firm was involved in supplying grain, meat, dairy, and other farm products and by-products. Included in their inventories were grains and seed, including wheat, oats, barley, corn, and clover. Also included were various staples and general merchandise items such as whiskey, gin, and brandy; hogs, hams, port, and lard; salt; and butter
Scope and Contents of the Collection
The collection consists of the financial records of and correspondence to the merchants Colt and Donaldson from their merchants in Baltimore during the years 1825 to 1848, with bulk of the materials dating from 1831 to 1834. The correspondence primarily concerns financial information, such as the running price for the various goods or the status of accounts. Of particular interest are the discussions of the activity of interest rates, foreign investors, demand for goods, and fluctuations in their prices, as well as costs of transportation, processing, and inspection. The financial records consist of ledger sheets recording purchasing and sales.
Custodial History and Acquisition Information
The collection was purchased from Charles Apfelbaum Rare Books and Collections of Valley Stream, New York in 1987.
Processing Information
Processed by Christopher Becker, July, 1989.
The records were placed in acid-neutral folders in an acid-neutral box.
EAD markup created using EAD database in Microsoft Access. Markup completed by Sarah Heim.
Arrangement of Collection
The collection has been arranged into one series
Detailed Description of the Collection
Series 1: Correspondence and Financial Records, 1825-1848 (1 linear inch)
This series consists of 48 letters and financial records to the merchants Colt and Donaldson from their various agents, arranged chronologically.
| Description | Series | Box / Reel | Folder / Frame | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Correspondence and Financial Records, 1825-1848 | series 1 | box 1 | folder 1 | |
| Correspondence and Financial Records, 1825-1848 | series 1 | box 1 | folder 2 | |
| Correspondence and Financial Records, 1825-1848 | series 1 | box 1 | folder 3 | |
| Correspondence and Financial Records, 1825-1848 | series 1 | box 1 | folder 4 | |
| Correspondence and Financial Records, 1825-1848 | series 1 | box 1 | folder 5 | |
| Correspondence and Financial Records, 1825-1848 | series 1 | box 1 | folder 6 | |
| Correspondence and Financial Records, 1825-1848 | series 1 | box 1 | folder 7 | |
| Correspondence and Financial Records, 1825-1848 | series 1 | box 1 | folder 8 | |
Related Material
For other related archival and manuscript collections, please see the following subject guides.
Selected Search Terms
This collection is indexed under the following headings in the University of Maryland Libraries' Catalog. Researchers desiring related materials about these topics, names, or places may search the Catalog using these headings.
Subjects
- Colt and Donaldson -- Archives
- Produce trade -- Maryland -- Baltimore -- History -- 19th century -- Sources
- Produce trade -- Pennsylvania -- Philadelphia -- History -- 19th century -- Sources