Albro-Allen family papers, 1842-1905.

ArchivalResource

Albro, Lydia A. Albro-Allen family papers, 1842-1905.

Albro-Allen family papers, 1842-1905.

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/84665961

The bulk of the items in the collection are receipted bills, mainly using printed billheads, that record Lydia Albro's expenditures from the 1870s into the 20th century for maintaining her house and property. The earliest manuscript among these papers records a charge for her schooling in 1842. A considerable number of bills document her purchases from Albro Bros. She consistently bought her coal and lumber from Oscar Conklin and then Dalrymple & Lindsey; hardware from the Voorhees Bros.; piping, brick, and other building materials from W. R. Bromfield & Co., plumbers and tinsmiths; and groceries from P.C. Henry. Lydia did business with local firms in Basking Ridge, Bernardsville, Morristown, Madisonville, and Peapack. Situated on the Lackawanna Railroad line, which ran trains into New York City, she had contacts there as well, making purchases from R. H. Macy and Sheppard Knapp, the proprietor of a carpet store. Of particular note are an 1881 invoice for Lydia's purchase of a bedroom suit, mattress, springs, oil cloth, and toilet set; an 1888 bill for two days board in Niagara Falls; a receipt for materials and the making of a silk dress in 1889; a 1900 bill for carpet and shades; and a bill for the purchase of a set of chairs frm Peter M. Hall in 1902. Local tax bills sent to Henry Albro and later Lydia Albro and those for the Allens are also included. Other bills addressed to Mr. and Mrs. Allen are also from local firms. The bulk of these were sent by P.C. Henry, dealer in dry goods, groceries, general merchandise, cutlery, furniture, house furnishings, etc. Also included are three insurance policies taken by James Allen for protection of his house and its furnishings. Five letters to Lydia include notes about shipments of orders, an invitation, a thank you note for a handkerchief, and information on the death of a family member. All but one of the eight letters to Mr. and Mrs. Allen pertain to a boarder, Mr. Doty, and were sent from a Mrs. La Ferta. A few of the miscellaneous envelopes may have been used to send these letters. Five of the envelopes have a return address for Albro & Bros. with a product list. Another seven have printed addresses for other firms represented in the bills. Finally, there are two photographs of a young girl and a gentlemen. The people depicted are not identified.

ca. 350 items.

Winterthur Library