Special Collections Department
Carey Bros. Wall
Paper
Manufacturing Company
Records
1799 - 1933
(bulk dates 1867 - 1918)
Manuscript Collection Number: 401
Accessioned: Gift of Mrs. Charles
D. Carey, 1997 and 2000 and 2001
Extent: 1 linear ft. (76 items)
Content: Letters, ledgers, minutes,
financial and legal documents, deeds, ephemera, and photograph
Access: The collection is open for research.
Processed: Sally W. Donatello,
January 2001; revised December 2001
Special Collections, University of Delaware Library
Newark, Delaware 19717-5267
(302) 831-2229
Table of Contents
Biographical Note
The Carey family was prominent in nineteenth-century Milton, Sussex County, Delaware. Merchant Robert Hood Carey (d. 1891; see 1892 deed in F43) is listed in the 1850 census with his wife Susan Davis Carey and their four sons: R. Davis, John F., Joseph Maull, and Theodore C. Two daughters, Sallie M. and Susan D., were born after 1850. John F. Carey became a doctor, and Joseph Maull Carey studied law at the University of Pennsylvania. In 1869, President Ulysses S. Grant appointed Joseph M. Carey U.S. attorney in the territory of Wyoming, and he later served as the first U.S. senator from that state. He was elected governor of Wyoming in 1910 and his son Robert D. Carey also served as governor of Wyoming. All six of the Carey children of Milton followed the financial success of their father, and each of these siblings was involved in family business and real estate ventures, even if only as stockholders.
Brothers R. Davis and Theodore C. and their sister Susan D. Carey are the prominent members involved in the family business that is documented in this small collection. Lacking published sources to confirm the inception of the first Carey business, ephemera and other records found in this collection document partnerships and changes in the names of the company. Gopsill’s Philadelphia Business Directory records the existence in 1883 of Hollowbush & Carey (R. Davis Carey was a partner) who were booksellers, stationers and blank book manufacturers at 423 Market Street. Simultaneously the Carey Brothers manufactured wallpaper at the same location, which by 1885 had moved to its permanent location at 2228 N. 10th Street. Succeeding Hollowbush & Carey, brothers R. Davis and Theo. C. Carey went into business in 1881 with W. H. Grevemeyer under the name “Carey Bros. & Grevemeyer” at 817 Market Street. By 1891 the Carey brothers and Grevemeyer were also partners in “Carey Bros, a Branch of The National Wall Paper Co.,” which manufactured wallpaper in the factory located at Nos. 2228 to 2242 North 10th Street and 931 Market Street in Philadelphia (See F1). Minutes of the Carey Bros. Wall Paper Manufacturing Company verify its 1905 incorporation in Delaware.
The Carey Bros. Wall Paper Manufacturing Company was dissolved in 1918 after involvement with the debt-ridden Marley Mill Corporation, a paper mill located in Childs, Maryland, and the Beaver Dam Mill at Pomeroy, Pennsylvania. By 1933 the Carey name was part of the wallpaper company Brooks, Graffin & Carey, Inc., which was located at 125 N. 11th Street, Philadelphia.
Sources:
Gopsill, James. Gopsill’s Philadelphia Business Directory. Philadelphia: James Gopsill’s Sons, 1883, 1885, 1889, 1891.
Hancock, Harold and Russell McCabe. Milton’s First Century, 1807- 1907. Milton, Del. The Milton Historical Society, 1982.
Dictionary of American Biography, Vol. II, Brearly-Cushing. New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1958.
Note: Historical and biographical information obtained from the collection.
Scope and Content Note
The Carey Bros. Wall Paper Manufacturing Company Records, spanning the dates 1799 - 1933 (1867-1918), consists of one linear foot of ledgers, financial and legal documents, minutes, deeds, ephemera, letters, and a photograph. This small collection documents the existence and demise of a Philadelphia-based business of booksellers, stationers, and manufacturers of blank books and wallpaper. The collection provides valuable insight into a family business that flourished at the end of the nineteenth into the second decade of the twentieth century. The records outline a chronology that leads to the dissolution of the company through documents connected to the Carey family and its business acquisitions and operations.
The collection is arranged in two main parts: the bulk of the material (located in F1-F15) details aspects of the company’s history. The remainder of the collection consists of deeds and other legal documents, primarily related to Philadelphia properties (F16-F46).
The Carey Bros. Ledger, 1900-1907, (F5) includes business expenses, interest and dividends, inventory, rents, profit and loss, and accounts from R. Davis Carey and William H. Grevemeyer, as well as from the later partnership that formed a branch of the National Wall Paper Company. A "Bill of Sale", dated November 30, 1900, was an agreement to sell The National Wall Paper Company to R. Davis Carey (F4). This document recorded that the Company had the "Carey Brothers" and "Carey Brothers & Grevemeyer" branches. The notebook and “stockholders” ledger in F6 provides names of family members and associates who owned shares in Carey Bros. Wall Paper Manufacturing Company from its incorporation in 1905 to its dissolution in 1918. Included are notes about contracts, salaries, loans, and leases.
A Credit History compiled by the Commercial Credit Company of Baltimore around 1917 (F8) and the Marley Mill Corporation Minute Book, 1912-1916 (F10) are two key items that explain the demise of the Carey Bros. Wall Paper Manufacturing Company. The Credit History, in particular, provides a narrative of the Marley Mill Corporation (a paper mill in Childs, Maryland, and the Beaver Dam Mill in Pomeroy, Pennsylvania) and its use of the Carey Bros. Wall Paper Manufacturing Company to obtain credit, beginning in 1912 (See F11). By 1917 the Carey Bros. Wall Paper Manufacturing Co. had endorsed large bonds and notes to help the Marley Mill Corporation remain solvent. The document cites financial obligations and relationships with Delaware Trust Company; Cosgrove & Company (a coal company); Market Street National Bank; National Security Bank; Marden, Orth, & Hastings, Co., Inc. (a soda ash company); Shenandoah Pulp and Paper Company; Pulp and Paper Trading Company; and the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. In 1917 unresolved credit problems were the impetus to begin liquidation of the Carey Bros. Wall Paper Manufacturing Co. By spring 1918 the company was dissolved.
The second half of the collection concerns Carey family finances, estates, and property. The Carey Family Ledger housed in F14 includes miscellaneous entries dating from 1867 to 1907. Most entries are for Carey family members (some not cited in any other records), but there are names of non-family members as well. Sallie M. and Mary C. Carey are listed as having expenses associated with a Milton, Delaware, property from 1876 to 1892 (F14, pp. 180-183; see also a deed, F46, that cites sisters Sallie M. and Susan D. with residence in Milton). The Guardian’s Accounts (F15) records the guardianship of Theo. C. Carey, Jr., and J. M. Carey by their aunt, Susan D. Carey, after the death of their mother, Clara Waples Carey (1857 - 1894). Clara Waples Carey was married to Theodore C. Carey (1847 - 1895, Susan’s brother. The detailed accounts, 1894-1906, list expenses for maintenance of a number of properties owned by the Careys in Southern Delaware: Coston Farm, Factory Farm, Cool Spring Farm, and the Milton house. Other entries include produce sold, interest on bank stock, rent from lots, attorney fees, etc.
The thirty deeds (F16-46) that accompany this collection are from various Center City Philadelphia properties (1802-1892). Deeds, ground rents, and mortgages found in F16-F37, dating from 1832-1883, are for the same property, which R. Davis Carey purchased in 1883. The remaining deeds are Delaware and Pennsylvania real estate (commercial, farms, rentals, and residencies) that were owned by the Carey family as individuals or in partnership.
Related Collections:
Ms 402 Waples Family Papers
Contents List
Folder -- Contents
F1 Carey Bros. ephemera, 13 items
Business ephemera: Twelve original items and one photocopy
of a receipt provide company names and addresses
Tradecard of “Hollowbush & Carey, Booksellers, Stationers
and Blank Book Manufacturers, 423 Market Street,
Philadelphia”; on the verso is a caricature of six African-
American children and a teacher. The answer to a riddle on
the card is revealed after heat is applied.
Photograph of five men and three boys outside the factory of
"Hollowbush & Carey" at 423 Market Street. Signs advertise
wallpapers. "Business of R. Davis Carey" written on verso
of card.
Notebook labeled "Purchasing Memorandum" for "Carey Bros. &
Grevemeyer, successors to Hollowbush & Carey, Booksellers
and Stationers, 817 Market Street, Philadelphia." Partners
listed on the cover include R. Davis Carey, Theo. C. Carey,
and W.H. Grevemeyer. The illustration on the verso of the
cover depicts the block-long Carey Bros. wallpaper
manufacturing factory, located at "Nos. 2228 to 2242 North
Tenth Street." The owner used the notebook to record
grocery purchases. At the bottom of each page are brief
descriptions of products found in the company’s inventory.
Receipt (photocopy of original laid in F11): “Bought of
Carey Bros., Branch of The National Wall Paper Co.,
Manufacturers of Paper Hangings, Nos. 2228 to 2242 North
10th Street.” Partners listed on the receipt include R.
Davis Carey, T.C. Carey, and W.H. Grevemeyer; the receipt is
also marked “Philadelphia ________189_” and shows terms for
payment.
Receipt: Carey Bros. & Grevemeyer, 10 February 1892, payment
in full for bill 1-12, 1892, $5.95 from Hon. J.M. Carey,
U.S. Senator.
Advertisement card: “Superior Playing Card Co., Carey Bros.
& Grevemeyer,” lists designs on playing cards, number of
series, description, cost per gross, plain or gilt edge.
Trade Card Blotters: Seven blotters with “Wall Papers that
are different,” Brooks, Graffin & Carey, Inc., 125 N. 11th
Street, Philadelphia, PA.”; features image of Washington
making Molly Pitcher a Lieutenant, January 1933 calendar.
F2 Legal documents, National Wall Paper Company, 1883 – 1907,
11 items
Includes 1883 bill of sale between Carey Bros. And Thomas A.
Young; title insurance from 1896; two trust receipts for
stock shares in the National Wall Paper Company; and release
from estate of William H. Grevemeyer to R. Davis Carey’s
estate.
F3 The Farmers’ Bank, Susan D. Carey, 1899, 4 items
Three of the items document the liquidation of stock
F4 Bill of Sale: National Wall Paper Company to R. Davis, 30
November 1900
F5 Carey Bros. -- Ledger, 1900 - 1907
1 vol.
Wages, loans, interest, profits and losses recorded in
entries for RDC and WHG (R. Davis Carey and Wm. H.
Grevemeyer). Other entries include general expenses, raw
materials, new samples, block room, line stock, merchandise
manufactured stock, repair and renewals, additions and
improvements, wages, profit & loss, rent, etc. Several
entries show amounts transferred from the NWPCo. (National
Wall Paper Company).
F6 Carey Bros. Wall Paper Manufacturing Company -- Notebook,
1905 - 1908
1 vol.
Notes on company’s directors, stockholders, shares, and
assets. Additional entries include leases and salaries; a
separate undated item is a list of stockholders and shares
F7 Minutes of the Carey Bros. Wall Paper Manufacturing Co.,
1905 - 1918
1 vol.
The bulk of the entries date from the 1905 incorporation in
Delaware; the company dissolved in 1918
F8 [Credit History, 1917]
TS (carbon), 17 pp.
Document describes Carey Bros. Wall Paper Manufacturing
Co.'s history with the Commercial Credit Company of
Baltimore that started in 1914. Sections are titled
"Commercial Credit Company," "Marley Mill Corporation,"
"Delaware Trust Company," "Carey Bros. Wall Paper Mfg.
Company's Customers Notes Discounted at Delaware Trust Co.,"
"Cosgrove & Company," "Market Street National Bank,"
"National Security Bank," "Marden, Orth & Hastings, Co.,
Inc.," "Shenandoah Pulp and Paper Company," "Pulp and Paper
Trading Company," and "Baltimore and Ohio Railroad."
F9 Carey Bros. - Finance and Trading Corporation, May 1917
2 items
TL (carbon), May 25, 1917, to Horace W. Davis, Finance &
Trading Corp., New York; 2 pp.
TL (carbon), May 28, 1917, Finance and Trading Corporation
to Susan D. Carey, Carey Brothers Wall Paper Mfg.. Co.,
Philadelphia; 4 pp.
Correspondence regarding liquidation of Carey Bros. Wall
Paper Manufacturing
Co.
F10 Marley Mill Corporation -- Minute Book, 1912 -1916
1 vol.
F11 Marley Mills in account with Carey Brothers Wall Paper
Manufacturing Company, May 17, 1917
Balance sheet, 3 pp.
F12 Marley Mill Corporation. Special Meeting of Stockholders,
July 10, 1917
TDs, 3 pp.
F13 Marley Mill Corporation. Special Meeting of Directors, July
10, 1917
TDs, 5 pp.
F14 [Carey Family] Ledger, ca. 1867 - 1907
1 vol.
Indexed accounts of various Carey family members, Carey
businesses, and stockholders. Family members include Joseph
M. Carey, Theodore C. Carey, John F. Carey, James M. Carey,
Susan D. Carey, Mary C. Carey, Sallie M. Carey. Others (non-
family) are listed in the ledger as well. Includes
mortgages, investments in U.S. bonds, loans, taxes, notes
(due and settled), and rents on properties in Philadelphia
and Milton, Delaware.
F15 Guardian's Accounts, Theo. C. Carey, Jr. & Jos. M. Carey,
1894 - 1906
1 vol.
Susan D. Carey, Guardian and Trustee [for] Theo. C. Carey,
Jr. and J. M. Carey; Theodore C. Carey, executor of the
estate of Clara Waples Carey. Business and farm accounts
for properties in Sussex Co., Delaware, and for other Carey
properties. Balance sheet begins with the value of 160
shares of Farmer’s Bank (New Castle, Delaware) stock less
fee to executor of the estate.
Deeds: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
7th St & Habacker St.
F16 1832 Jun 20 Fredrick A. Jennings to Robert A. Parrish
F17 1836 Feb 29 Robert Parrish to George Cleaden
F18 1836 Oct 19 George Cleaden to Ezra Hoopes
F19 1840 Jan 11 Ezra Hoopes and Ann W., his wife, to Davis
Hoopes
16th & Summer St. (formerly 7th St. & Habacker St.)
F20 1854 Mar 24 John G. Williams and Susan N., his wife, to
Walter Laing
F21 1854 Nov 1 Walter Laing and Ann W., his wife, to
Cornelius Forshee
F22 1855 Dec 5 John G. Williams and Susan N., his wife, to
David B. Cooper
F23 1857 Mar 21 David B. Cooper to Charles Neil
F24 1857 Jun 18 Charles Neil and Georgiana A., his wife, to
Benjamin H. Pitfield
F25 1858 Apr 5 Benjamin H. Pitfield to Perry R. McNeille
F26 1858 Aug 3 Perry R. McNeille and Hannah, his wife, to
John H. Coffin
F27 1858 Oct 18 John H. Coffin and Elizabeth D., his wife, to
Walter Laing
F28 1862 Sep 13 Robert Ewing to Edward Laing
F29 1862 Oct 13 Edward Laing and Fanny, his wife, to Arthur
Maginnis
F30 1864 July 4 Arthur Maginnis to Morris R. Stroud
F31 1864 Sep 14 Frederick Myers and Ellenor, his wife, to
Morris R. Stroud
F32 1864 Sep 16 Joseph R. Taylor and Martha, his wife, to
Morris R. Stroud
(Ground Rent)
F33 1871 Apr 5 Morris R. Stroud and M. Louise, his wife, and
to Horace H. Duyckinck
F34 1873 Nov 5 Horace H. Duyckinck and Emily L., his wife,
to Mrs. Anna L. Haines, wife of William L.
F35 1883 Jul 12 William L. Haines and Anna L., his wife, to
Samuel H. Gilbert’s
estate (Mortgage)
F36 1883 Jul 30 William L. Haines and Anna L., his wife, to
William Slatcher
F37 1883 Sep 13 William Slatcher and Annie, his wife, to R.
Davis Carey
8th St.& Northern Liberties
F38 1802 Jan 25 Turner Camac and Sarah, his wife, to Anthony
Gale
F39 1802 Jul 7 Turner Camac and Sarah, his wife, to Anthony
Gale
F40 1818 Jun 20 William Lowber and Francenia, his wife, to C.
Peter Meyer and Catharine, his wife
8th St.
F41 1830 May 1 Henry Meyer to Lydia Emlen
School & Edward St.
F42 1846 Apr 1 Ralph Bagnall Beech to Azor L. Gregory
(Mortgage)
6th St.
F43 1847 Dec 22 William Spink and Sarah A., his wife, to
James S. Huber
F44 1848 Oct 14 Sheriff, (for William Spink) to Thomas B.
Taylor
Lien
F45 1903 May 13 R. Davis Carey to F. H. Harper and Son (Still
Pond, Maryland)
Miscellaneous
F46 1883 Sep 5 Survey
Summer St., Sixteenth St. and Winter St., copy of
plan from Survey Dept.
1883 May 3 Receipt
Office of Collector of Delinquent Taxes to H. H.
Duyckinck; 1882 taxes for Summer Street property
1883 Jul/Sep Papers relating to mortgage search
R. Davis Carey’s purchase of houses at 16th and
Habacker Streets and 16th and Vine Streets;
includes receipts from the Department for
Supplying the City with Water; Department of
Highways, Bridges, Sewers, and Street Cleaning;
and, the Real Estate Title Insurance and Trust
Company of Philadelphia
1883 Aug 7 Letter of Attorney
“Samuel H. Gilbert to J. Thomas Audemeid to
satisfy Wm. L. Haines, Mtge of $5000”
1892 Nov 7 Deed (Ground Rent)
R. Davis Carey, John F. Carey and Anna S. (his
wife), Joseph M. Carey and Louisa D. (his wife),
Theodore C. Carey and Clara W. (his wife), to
Sallie M. Carey and Susan D. Carey, both of
Milton, Delaware, for properties in Philadelphia.
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