Special Collections Department
George Handy Papers
1845 - 1871
(bulk dates 1846 - 1850)
Manuscript Collection Number: 133
Accessioned: Gift of Daniel Moore
Bates, 1945
Extent: .6 linear ft. (273 items)
Content: Letters and business
documents
Access: The collection is open for research.
Processed: 1945 by Margaret
Larson
Special Collections, University of Delaware Library
Newark, Delaware 19717-5267
(302) 831-2229
Table of Contents
Introductory Note
The George Handy Papers, 1845-1871 (bulk 1846-1850), comprises 273 letters and business documents from a prominent Philadelphia-based nineteenth-century merchant. The collection, as a whole, reflects social and personal relations with Handy family members in Philadelphia, New Orleans, and Mississippi, as well as other friends; and business and economic affairs of domestic and foreign commerce, much of which was conducted by shipping through the ports of Philadelphia and New Orleans, or via the Mississippi and Ohio rivers.
Correspondence in the collection is addressed to George Handy in either Philadelphia or New Orleans, where he conducted business on behalf of his Philadelphia firm, Samuel Hildeburn & Co. There is frequent reference to St. Louis, Louisville, and Cincinnati, as well as New Orleans and Philadelphia; and travel is described as undertaken via steamboat, canal boat, stage, and rail. Handy engaged in purchase and sale of cotton, sugar, pork, lard, bacon, wheat, corn, molasses, turpentine, and, to a lesser extent, gunpowder, pecans, and peaches. Other business ventures involved loans, mortgages, and property transfers.
Throughout the letters, Handy received news of national events, such as the 1848 presidential election of Zachary Taylor, the swelling “California gold fever,” or fires in Nashville and St. Louis, in 1847 and 1849, respectively. Epidemics of smallpox, yellow fever, and cholera were specifically reported in the correspondence, as such episodes threatened quarantines and other risks for commercial shipping. Cholera swept the country in 1848/1849, as described in news from New Orleans, Kentucky, Tennessee, Philadelphia, and Cincinnati.
The collection was arranged chronologically by Margaret Lawson in 1945, who wrote the following comments and calendar for the papers.
Comments On George Handy Papers
The correspondence of George Handy from 1846 to 1850 reveals him to be a man well-known and respected in the Philadelphia of his day. His association with Samuel Hildeburn & Co., merchants, made his name prominent in the business world, and the warm and gracious personality that is evident in his personal letters won for him a large circle of friends.
George Handy was the only living member of his generation in the Handy family in the years from 1846 to 1850, except for three cousins: A.H. Handy, of Canton, Mississippi, who had occasion to write very infrequently on business; Martha Marshall, also of Canton; and George Martin, a cousin, of Charleston, Mississippi. Most of Handy's personal correspondence consists of letters from his nephews. Three of them, Isaac, Edward, and Aleck Handy, are usually spoken about together and presumably were brothers. There are letters from two of them, Edward and Isaac, written from Philadelphia, where Isaac was active in politics, and Edward in business. There is no mention made of Aleck's place of residence or occupation, and he never found occasion to write to Handy. A fourth nephew, John Ewing, bought a tract of land in St. Mary's, Elk County, Pennsylvania, and moved there from Philadelphia in 1848. He was evidently in a poor position financially, and was discouraged about his new surroundings amid a group of German settlers, who lived under primitive conditions, but to all appearances must have stayed on his farm, which was rich in undeveloped resources. There is a rather large group of letters from Joseph W. Allen, a nephew who lived in New Orleans. He was an emotional young man, and reacted very strongly to current events, seeing in them the hand of God. His writings, however, are informative, speaking of politics, business, and world affairs with understanding. It is possible that Allen was a preacher, for he mentions speaking before church groups. Among George Handy's letters are several from nieces in St. Louis, Elizabeth and Margaret Carroll. They are written during the cholera epidemic and fires in St. Louis, and are interesting in that they reflect the religious attitude of the period toward events of a disastrous nature.
The friends of George Handy from whom he received correspondence during the years from 1846 to 1850 were numerous. Those who figure most prominently are his friends in Dover, Delaware, Mr. and Mrs. Bates, and Mr. and Mrs. Gove Saulsbury. Handy was often a visitor in Dover and Wilmington. In New Orleans, where Handy spent the winter months until 1849, his best friends were Dr. Scott, a minister, and Robert Powell, with whom he had business dealings, and with whom Joseph Allen lived during the winter of 1849, when Handy was unable to make the journey to New Orleans. There is a letter from John Richardson of Philadelphia, written from Warm Springs, Georgia, a fashionable resort at the time. Mr. Richardson writes with excellent style, describing the countryside, and telling of traveling conditions and the lot of the southern Negro. Thomas Robins, a business associate of Philadelphia, was a frequent correspondent, and speaks of the effect on business of the California gold rush, the cholera epidemic, and the cholera quarantine for ships. Among the other friends of George Handy were George Collier, of St. Louis, who saw in the cholera epidemic and fire in St. Louis the need for the establishment of a reliable insurance agency in the West; Ralph King, a merchant, who writes from Bremen, Germany, of the conditions of international trade, and of economic prospects for Germany; and Lewis Whiteman of Cincinnati, who considers Handy very lucky to be living with his (Handy's) adopted daughter and her children. In addition to these, George Handy had acquaintances in New York, Memphis, Nashville, and other cities. He was constantly the recipient of requests for financial aid, and his reputation indicated that he was generous in his compliance. In one instance Littleton Quinton of Cincinnati asked Handy to use his influence with the Secretary of Treasury or other persons in Washington to encourage his appointment as Surveyor of the Port in Cincinnati. Again, Theodore Dahlgren, a stranger to Handy, asks his aid in obtaining work, having been injured at sea, and interned in the Marine Hospital. Handy advanced the money necessary for Joseph Calvin, an aspiring young minister, to attend Princeton Theological Seminary, and gave his financial assistance to many other persons, some of them unknown to him.
In 1846 Samuel Hildeburn & Co., with whom Handy had his business affiliations, was conducting a profitable commission business. The company was located in Philadelphia, where both foreign and domestic trade was handled. During the winter George Handy represented the company in New Orleans, supervising the purchase of goods for shipment to Philadelphia and selling goods to the South. The purchases Handy made consisted for the most part of cotton, tobacco, sugar from the West Indies, pork from up the river, wheat and corn, also from the up-river country, molasses, and turpentine. Goods were shipped to New Orleans from Cincinnati, St. Louis, and Louisville by steamboat and flatboat. The purchase of perishable goods involved a large risk, for cotton was damaged by rain while being shipped in open boats, and often pork and lard was spoiled. From New Orleans the goods were shipped around to Philadelphia. During the cholera epidemic in 1848-1849 a quarantine of cholera-infected ships from New Orleans was instituted in Philadelphia.
Because of adverse business conditions created by the cholera epidemic, a poor cotton season, and probably a number of undetermined causes, the Hildeburn Co. began to decline in 1849. In January Watson Hildeburn was "dissolved by limitation," and the remaining members of the company formed a co-partnership as Hildeburn & Bros. Co. A letter from John Hildeburn the same month reviews the financial status of the firm. He is not pessimistic, but looks forward to a good year, for good reason. In 1847 the company had lost $20,000, but $6,000 profit in 1848 had dissolved a part of the debt. Plans were made to make up the rest of the deficit by November, 1849, when the senior partner planned to retire. John Hildeburn planned to do a very large business of $350,000 in the coming year with 4% profit. In February foreign imports showed a decrease of 1/4 to 1/3 from 1848. By April only $2000 worth of business had been transacted, as compared to $70,000 by April of the preceding year. In November letters appeared regretting the news that Handy's firm has been dissolved. At the same time land belonging to Handy was sold to repay a note held by the United States Bank.
After April, 1850, there are no letters to Handy, and no mention is made in documents relating to his estate of the date of his death. The rest of the papers deal with the taxes on his estate, and are addressed to George Handy Bates, Wilmington, Delaware. William Woodruff, land agent in Arkansas, advised Bates and Edward Handy to sell the lands belonging to George Handy's estate in Arkansas, since they were not of very great value. There is no indication of the actual worth of Handy's estate.
Contents List
Box -- Folder -- Contents
1 F1 1845 Dec 12 Certificate of Insurance for T. B. Eastland for $14,000 Dec 17 Certificate of Insurance for T. B. Eastland for $6,000 F2 1846 May-Dec May 14 Commercial Court of New Orleans to George Handy, Philadelphia. Petition of William Karr for a privilege claim of $600 against the sale by George Handy for payment of a debt of a boat owned by James Lee. Judgement was in favor of petitioner. Jun 20 Settlement of a debt of N.D. Elliott of Tennessee to George Handy. Jul 13 Timothy D. Lincoln, Philadelphia, to George Handy, Philadelphia. Summary of law on holding to bail and upon attaching property in courts of the State of Pennsylvania, County of Pennsylvania, and City of Philadelphia. Jul 21 W. W. Hoffman, New Orleans, to George Handy, Philadelphia. Tells of sale of the boat of “James Lee” at $15,000 to satisfy the claims of George Handy and others. Jul 25 C. Woodburn, Madison, La., to George Handy, Philadelphia. Information concerning market price of sides of bacon in New Orleans and advice to Handy to retain those he has for awhile. Jul 28 C. Woodburn, Madison, La., to George Handy, Philadelphia. Continuation of matters of previous letter. Aug 4 George Handy, Philadelphia, to C. Woodburn, Madison, La. Advises selling bacon at high price. Aug 15 C. Woodburn, Madison, La., to George Handy, Philadelphia. Concerning sale of sides of bacon owned by George Handy. Aug 19 Powell & Bryan, Peoria, La.(?), to George Handy, Philadelphia. Concerning an offer from Mr. Donlin to buy notes held by George Handy on Mr. Donlin's brother, who has absconded. Powell & Bryan ask for power of attorney for the transaction. Aug 26 C. Woodburn, Madison, La., to George Handy, Philadelphia. Is preparing to ship bacon to New Orleans for sale. Aug 31 J. B. McIlwain, Maysville, Ky., to George Handy, Philadelphia. Request for the loan of $5,000 at 6% semi- annual interest. Money derangement caused by the war has lessened. Crops of corn and number of hogs very large. Sep 4 Duncan Ripley, Louisville, Ky., to George Handy, Philadelphia. Matters relating to the deed for the Bayless property; the mortgage on the Clendenin property; insurance on the Clendenin property. Sep 30 David Macy, Lawrenceburg, Ind. to George Handy, Philadelphia. Concerning the purchase of a tract of land for George Handy. Oct 6 Garnett Duncan, Louisville, Ky., to George Handy, Philadelphia. Regarding a lien by the Bank of New Orleans on property purchased for George Handy, who must now pay the debt. Oct 19 David Macy, Lawrenceburg, Ind. to George Handy, Philadelphia. Account of cost of land bought for George Handy at public auction, as a result of the decision in the case of Symington vs. Campbell. Asks whether Handy wants land sold at less than cost. Oct 28 Elizabeth Carroll, St. Louis, Mo., to George Handy, Philadelphia. Personal and family news items. Speaks of Charly, Maggie, and Ellen. Oct 28 Margaret Carroll, St. Louis, to her uncle, George Handy, Philadelphia. Personal. Asks why he doesn't write. Speaks of Anne, Charly, Lizzie, Uncle Isaac, Mr. P. Powell. 1 F2 1846 May-Dec (cont’d) Nov 26 Charles C. Ware, Texas County, Mo., to George Handy, Philadelphia. Asks for gift of money that George Handy had promised to leave him in his will. Is in poor health and needs money for debts and for improving a piece of public land. Dec 8 John Rust, Louisville, Ky., to George Handy, Philadelphia. Asks return of two drafts sent to George Handy, since they have not been used. Is in poor health. F3 1847 Jan 2 G. Duncan, Louisville, Ky., to George Handy, New Orleans. Says there is possibility of redeeming Rust's notes by selling them to Judge McKauley, who wishes to buy a lot owned by Handy. Jan 13 J. Cleves Short, Cleveland, Ohio, to George Handy, New Orleans. Thanks for business transacted for him. Tells of trip home by way of Mobile, Montgomery, Savannah, Charleston, Wilmington, Richmond, Washington City, Baltimore, and Pittsburgh. Traveled by steamboat, stage, and railroad. Jan 22 Thos. R. Fassett, Philadelphia, to George Handy, New Orleans. Has found a St. Louis Bond of 1837 belonging to George Handy, the interest on which, amounting to $70 a year, has not been collected since 1840 or 1841. Jan 23 C. Woodburn, Madison, [LA], to George Handy, New Orleans. Concerning a debt of $4,354 to be settled. Jan 23 D. Cochran, Memphis, Tenn., to George Handy, New Orleans. Concerning payment of a debt to McCorry. Jan 27 [Unidentified] to George Handy, New Orleans. 1 F3 1847 (cont’d) Feb 4 A. Symington, Philadelphia, to George Handy, New Orleans. In order to change investments, thinks it wise that he be appointed guardian to the children. Gives Handy power of attorney. Feb 13 C. H. Sipple, Dover, Del. to George Handy, New Orleans. Appointment of Dan as Secretary of State. Satisfactory to party and people. Grain market very prosperous. Mentions D. M. Bates, Margaret, George, Mrs. Pennewill, Hester, John, and Cabe. Mar 11 A. Symington, Philadelphia, to George Handy, New Orleans. Inquiry concerning a power of attorney sent of Feb. 4. Mar 11 Wm. Palmer, Pittsburgh, to George Handy, New Orleans. Concerning purchases on the sugar market. Commodity has risen slightly in consequence of the anticipated action of Congress. Mar 20 Nelson & Donelson, Lafourch, (?), to Samuel M. McClain, New Orleans. Description of a shipment of sugar and molasses to McClain. May 6 James A. Woods, Nashville, Tenn., to George Handy, New Orleans. Acknowledges receipt of McLeans's bill. Fire in Nashville. May 14 John C. Boyd, Philadelphia, to George Handy, New Orleans. Concerning taxes and a lien held by Handy on a tract of land. Jul 9 Memorandum of W. D. Elliott. To insure George Handy against action by creditors of James Lee of the steamboat “Old Hickory,” taken by Handy for a debt. Jul 24 Benjamin Darlington, Pittsburgh, to George Handy, Philadelphia. Concerning redemption of lots purchased years ago at New Brighton. Nov 4 Henry M. Hildeburn, Philadelphia, to George Handy, New Orleans. Concerning sales on the sugar market. Has had large loss. List of sugar prices. Mentions fever in New Orleans. 1 F4 1848 Apr-Jul Apr 13 Samuel Hildeburn & Co., Philadelphia, to George Handy, Cincinnati. Concerning debts owed to George Handy in the West. Quotes prices of commodities such as pork and lard. Apr 24 Judge John R. Donnell, Philadelphia, to George Handy, New Orleans. Forwarded to Cincinnati. Concerning George Handy's part as a witness in the case of Donnell v. the Bank of the United States. Mr. Porter is Donnell's attorney. Mr. James Robertson is President of the U.S. Bank. Jun 6 Samuel Hildeburn, Son & Co., Philadelphia, to George Handy, Cincinnati. Concerning the execution of business matters for George Handy, particularly in relation to one Tom Smith, on whose account Handy had purchased cotton. Jun 26 Jos. W. Allen, New Orleans, to his uncle, George Handy, Philadelphia. Speaks of a "Mexican heroes" returning. Whig ratification meeting in the open air in Canal Street, New Orleans. Politics--one General Butler seems to be prominent. Tobacco and cotton markets poor. Sends check for copying press sent by Handy to his friend Charles. Mentions friends-- Powell, Dr. Scott, Mr. Martin, Mr. Bradle. Seems to be looking for a wife. Jun 29 J. M. Freeman, for Hildeburn, Philadelphia, to George Handy, Cincinnati. Acknowledges receipt of telegram. Jun 30 Jonathan Hildeburn, Philadelphia, to George Handy, Cincinnati. Routine business letter. Payment of debts owed to Handy. Jul 2 Hughey H. Beard, Camden, Arkansas, to George Handy, Philadelphia. Written during a visit. Speaks of Mr. Powell. Asks Handy to write. Jul 13 R. P. Curran, Nashville, Tenn., to George Handy, Philadelphia. Asks for a loan, with a mortgage on farmland as security. Jul 21 Jos. W. Allen, Nashville, Tenn., to his uncle, George Handy, Philadelphia. Introduction of Mr. A. J. Duncan, of Shepherd & Duncan, Nashville. Jul 21 Daniel Hadden, New Orleans, La., to George Handy, Philadelphia. Report on sales, chiefly of tobacco, in New Orleans for George Handy. Jul 27 Sturges Bennett, New York, to George Handy, Philadelphia. Report on sales for George Handy in New York. Jul 29 Jos. W. Allen, Lebanon, Tenn., to his uncle, George Handy, Philadelphia. Apathy in the South toward the coming presidential election. Predicts "Zack" Taylor will carry Tennessee, but not Louisiana. Written during a visit to his sister and her nine children. Says he is looking for a wife. Mentions a relative, Alexander Allison. F5 1848 Aug-Nov Aug 8 George Martin, Bon Air to his cousin, George Handy, Philadelphia. Looks forward to cotton- picking at home and the installation of a new steam mill. Spending vacation in Cumberland Mts. Sends regards to Dr. Chapman, Mr. Wilson druggist, Mr. John Richardson, cousins George and John Martin, Mr. and Mrs. Bates. Aug 16 Thomas Warfield, Cincinnati, to George Handy, Philadelphia. Asks Handy's aid in clearing up a claim of the U.S. Bank on T. B. and W. P. Warfield. (Undated) B. Martin, St. Mary's, Tenn., to her cousin, George Handy, Philadelphia. Personal matters. Speaks of death of Aunt Mary Donelson. Sep 8 M. D. Carneal, Cincinnati, Ohio, to George Handy, Philadelphia. Asks for a loan in order to buy property in Louisville. Sep 8 J. M. Woodbridge, Marietta, Ohio to George Handy, Philadelphia. Complains of poor molasses sold to him by Handy's agent and asks to be repaid, threatening to sue for the money. 1 F5 1848 Aug-Nov (cont’d) Sep 9 Yeatman Woods & Co., Nashville, Tenn., to Samuel Hildeburn, Son & Co., Philadelphia. In answer to a complaint about a shipment of cotton, the writer says his company is not responsible. Sep 18 John S. Ewing, St. Mary's, Pa., to his uncle, George Handy, Philadelphia. Arrival in Elk County after six days' journey from (Philadelphia?), partly by canal boat, by way of Harrisburg and Lewistown. Sep 23 N. G. Nye, Yazoo City, Miss., to George Handy, Philadelphia. Good cotton crop in the South. Low prices, however. Planters all ship to New Orleans. Sep 27 Wm. Stokes, Elk County, Pa., to George Handy, Philadelphia. Reports on the arrival of Handy's nephew, Jno. Ewing, and the prospects offered by his new farm. Oct 5 Bullitts and Fairthorne, Louisville, Ky., to George Handy, Philadelphia. Introduction of Francis McKay, a merchant who will visit Philadelphia to purchase gunpowder and who desires to connect himself with a commission house. Oct 9 Alfred Thurston, Louisville, Ky., to George Handy, Philadelphia. Wants Handy to negotiate for the purchase of some lots. Oct 15 Jno. Ewing, Elk County, Pa., to his uncle, George Handy, Philadelphia. Describes new farmland into which he has moved, rich resources (iron, coal, lime), primitive condition of German settlers. Discouraged about his "low and deplorable position" and gossip about him in town. Oct 18 Robert Hyslop, New York, to George Handy, Philadelphia. Acknowledges receipt of letter. Nov 14 Wm. Bowen, Philadelphia, to George Handy, Louisville, Ky. Routine business matters. Nov 14 Samuel Hildeburn, Co., Philadelphia, to George Handy, Louisville. Concerning business matters. Prices on tobacco and cotton. Nov 15 David Macy, Lawrenceburg, to George Handy. Concerning the advisability of selling land. Makes an offer for land. Nov 18 Jno. Neff, Cincinnati, Ohio to George Handy, New Orleans, La. Orders the purchase of 200 bales of cotton for his son. Nov 29 Hildeburn Co., Philadelphia, to George Handy, New Orleans. Concerning recovery of debts and other business matters. F6 1848 Dec Dec 6 A. Ross, Rotherwood, (Tenn.?) to George Handy, New Orleans. Recommends Mr. Wallace in Knoxville, who needs help in business. Tells about his family. Dec 6 Thomas Robins, Philadelphia, to George Handy, New Orleans. Business. Speaks of Mary, Mr. Powell, death of Mrs. Parker. Dec 12-14 S. H. Hildeburn Co., Philadelphia, to George Handy, New Orleans. Routine business matters. Good prices for sugar from the West Indies, cotton, and tobacco. Dec 15 Shipping invoice to George Handy. 317 Bales of cotton. Dec 15 John T. Jeter (?) , New Orleans, to Hildeburn Co., Philadelphia. Inquires whether there is a market in Philadelphia for pecan nuts grown in Texas. Dec 15-20 Hildeburn Co., Philadelphia, to George Handy, New Orleans. Business letters. Low prices of cotton and sugar quoted; expected to rise. Information about the advisability of granting credit to a Mr. A., a businessman of Philadelphia. Pork prices high, expected to decline. Dec 21 Edw. L. Handy, Philadelphia, to his uncle, George Handy, New Orleans. Reports epidemic of small pox in Philadelphia; approach of cholera to city. Speaks of California gold fever and possibility of inflation. Speaks of Sally (his wife?); Isaac, who is visiting Germantown. 1 F6 1848 Dec (cont’d) Dec 21 Daniel Cochran, Philadelphia, to George Handy, New Orleans. Introduction and recommendation of Mr. P. Twisin(?), a young man recently arrived from Ireland. Dec 22 Hildeburn Co., Philadelphia, to George Handy, New Orleans. Business letter. Predicts good season ahead for produce commission houses. Says that the cholera epidemic will not affect business. Rainy season. Dec 23 Shipping invoice to George Handy. 149 barrels of pork. Dec 25 Thomas Robins, Philadelphia, to George Handy, New Orleans. Business and personal letter. Orders cotton. Deaths of Robert Toland and Wm. [illegible]. Mr. Powell, to arrive on the ship “Europa;” his friend, Richardson; and Edward. Dec 26 C. Wallace, Knoxville, Tenn., to George Handy, New Orleans. Business letter, evidently from a beginner in business. Dec 27 Wm. A. Porter, Philadelphia, to George Handy, New Orleans. Business letter, concerning money owed by Handy to a bank in Philadelphia. Dec 27 Hildeburn Co., Philadelphia, to George Handy, New Orleans. Business letter. Dec 27 Charles W. Brooke, Philadelphia, to George Handy, New Orleans. Notification from the Bank of the U.S. that Handy's property in Northumberland County, mortgaged for $8,000 in 1846, will be sold, since the interest has not been paid. Dec 29 Isaac S. Handy, Germantown, to his uncle, George Handy, New Orleans. The president-elect has been to New Orleans. Writer hears that Mr. Clay will visit there and that Clay carried Pa. by a large majority. Hears that Clayton is to be Secretary of State. Others say Crittenden will get the post. Has moved to Germantown from Philadelphia to get benefit of country air. Went to see D. Ewing at Agricultural School at Mt. Airy, but D. was not there. Speaks of Mr. Richardson; Dr. Powell; death of Mrs. Parker; Rosa and Alexander at Dover. 1 1849 Jan Jan 1 Hildeburn Co., Philadelphia, to George Handy, New Orleans. Concerned over cholera in New Orleans and the effect on prices. Foreign news regarded as favorable. Jan 3 Thomas Robins, Philadelphia, to GeorgeHandy, New Orleans. Business. Speaks of selling carpets. Jan 4 Wm. M. Churchwell, Nashville, Tenn., to George Handy, New Orleans. Business. Asks Handy to patronize Campbell Wallace, merchant of Knoxville. Lists commodities to be sold by Wallace. Jan 5-8 Hildeburn Co., Philadelphia, to George Handy, New Orleans. Fears that a quarantine of ships from New Orleans at Philadelphia will harm business. Cholera abating somewhat. Jan 9 Daniel Hawkins, Cincinnati, to GeorgeHandy, New Orleans. Notice of consignment of cotton. Jan 10 Hildeburn Co., Philadelphia, to George Handy, New Orleans. Business letter. Sales of pork, molasses, cotton, sugar. Jan 15 Thomas Robins, Philadelphia, to George Handy, New Orleans. Business and personal letter. Cholera in West bad for spring business. Regrets death of Hugh Thompson. Encloses business circular from Liverpool date Dec. 29, 1848: Good market, stabilized by French Presidential election. Quotes prices of cotton, wheat, corn, turpentine. Jan 15 Jno. McCrea, Philadelphia, to George Handy, New Orleans. Order for cotton through Hildeburn Co. Jan 15 Hildeburn Co., Philadelphia, to George Handy, New Orleans. Business matters. Jan 16 Miller, Brown, & Hawkins, Cincinnati, to George Handy, New Orleans. Concerning a shipment of pork and lard via South America to Handy's company for sale. 1 F7 1849 Jan (cont’d) Jan 17 Hildeburn Co., Philadelphia, to George Handy, New Orleans. Business. Fear of quarantine of ships gone since cholera abated. Wants Hildeburn dissolved by limitation. Joseph, William, and Henry Hildeburn formed copartnership as Hildeburn & Bros. Co. Senior gave them $100,000 capital. Jan 18 Jno. Hildeburn, Philadelphia, to George Handy, New Orleans. Reviews business of 1848. Profit was $6,000. In 1847 $20,000 was lost. Writer asks effort to make up deficit by Nov., 1849, when senior partner will retire. Wants to do business of $350,000 in coming year with 4% profit. Jan 18 Miller, Brown, and Hawkins, Cincinnati, to George Handy, New Orleans. Business letter. Jan 19 William Porter, Philadelphia, to George Handy, New Orleans Concerning sale of Handy's Northumberland property to redeem bond held by the Bank of the United States. Jan 19 Hildeburn Co., Philadelphia, to George Handy, New Orleans. Business. Asks lists of rates of New Orleans underwriters for rates on steamboats, flatboats, and hulls from Cincinnati, Louisville, and St. Louis. Jan 20 Robert Ewing, Philadelphia, to George Handy, New Orleans. Inquires of David Ewing, who left for Pittsburgh, wrote for money to return home, and then presumably went down the river, possibly to New Orleans. Jan 20-26 Hildeburn Co., Philadelphia, to George Handy, New Orleans. Concerning arrival of long-awaited shipment of cotton on the "Robert Burton." Cotton has been damaged badly by rain. Proclamation of the Board of Health of Philadelphia for examination of cholera-infected ships from New Orleans. Jan 26 Valentine Holmes, Philadelphia, to George Handy, New Orleans. Asks Handy's aid in recovering a debt owed by a Mme. Poultney and her daughter, formerly of Philadelphia, now residing in New Orleans. 1 F7 1849 Jan (cont’d) Jan 29 Margaret Carroll, St. Louis, Mo., George Handy, New Orleans. Concerned over cholera epidemic. Speaks of her father's recent marriage. Mentions Ellen Powell, now Mrs. Wilgus. Jan 30 Hildeburn Bros., Philadelphia, to George Handy, New Orleans. Asks that an inquiry be made about Mr. P.N. Revera, merchant. Jan 30-Feb 2 Hildeburn Co., Philadelphia, to George Handy, New Orleans. Business. Order of Mr. Frierson and Mr. Powell for cotton filled. Unable to fill order for Mr. McCrea. F8 1849 Feb Feb 2 Thomas Robins, Philadelphia, to George Handy, New Orleans. Arrival of steamer "Canada" with news from abroad has sent cotton prices down. Death of F. G. Critcher. Feb 6 George Collier, St. Louis, Mo., to George Handy, New Orleans. Personal matters. Mentions friends--Lindell and C. Carrol. Feb 10 Hildeburn Co., Philadelphia, to George Handy, New Orleans. Business. Market dull. Anticipates small business for 1849. Feb 10 Ellen Powell, St. Louis, to George Handy, New Orleans. Personal letter in response to congratulations on her marriage. Feb 12 Thomas Robins, Philadelphia, to George Handy, New Orleans. Business. Arrival of ship "Niagara" from Liverpool causes prices to rise. Foreign imports 1/4 to 1/3 below 1848. Feb 13 Hildeburn Co., Philadelphia, to George Handy, New Orleans. Business matters. Feb 14 Littleton Quinton, Cincinnati, to George Handy, New Orleans. Asks Handy's influence with the Secretary of Treasury or other persons in Washington to encourage his appointment as Surveyor of the Port in Cincinnati. Feb 16 W. J. Morris, New York, to George Handy, New Orleans. Business letter. 1 F8 1849 Feb (cont’d) Feb 17-20 Hildeburn Co., Philadelphia, to George Handy, New Orleans. Business. Trying to make up loss on damaged cotton. Dull market. Feb 21 Theodore Dahlgren, Marine Hospital, to George Handy, New Orleans. A stranger to Handy, he asks his assistance in obtaining work, having been injured while at sea and unable to pursue further a seaman's life. Feb 23 Hildeburn Co., Philadelphia, to George Handy, New Orleans. Business matters. Feb 24 Thomas Robins, Philadelphia, to George Handy, New Orleans. Emigrants to California are draining silver supply from East. World trade stable. Feb 24 Armel & Clough, Madison, La., to George Handy, New Orleans. Business. Handy is to sell produce and invest money in molasses, sugar, and coffee. Feb 26 W. H. Overstreet, Franklin, La., to George Handy, New Orleans. Business. Feb 26 Hildeburn Co., Philadelphia, to George Handy, New Orleans. Business matters. F9 1849 Mar 1-16 Mar 1 Hildeburn Co., Philadelphia, to George Handy, New Orleans. Business. Mar 5-7 Hildeburn Co., Philadelphia, to George Handy, New Orleans. Discussion of business conditions in the market of New Orleans as compared with the West. Mar 9 George Handy, New Orleans, to Armel & Clough, Madison, La. Business. 1 F9 1849 Mar 1-16 (cont’d) Mar 10 Hildeburn Co., Philadelphia, to George Handy, New Orleans. Business. Directs Handy in attempt to recover $8,000 owed to Hildeburn Co. by Nelson & Donaldson. Mar 12 William Porter, Philadelphia, to George Handy, New Orleans. Concerning impending sale of Handy's property for U.S. Bank note. Mar 12 Hildeburn Co., Philadelphia, to George Handy, New Orleans. Business. Mar 12 Watson Hildeburn, Philadelphia, to George Handy, New Orleans. Business. Mar 14 Wm. E. Brown, Philadelphia, to George Handy, New Orleans. Personal and business letter. Mar 14 Dwight Martin, New Orleans, to George Handy, New Orleans. Application for a position in a commission house. Mar 14 Hildeburn Co., Philadelphia, to George Handy, New Orleans. Business matters. Mar 14 George Handy, New Orleans, to Armel & Clough, Madison, La. Business letter concerning a shipment of groceries. Mar 15 Fire insurance policy. For goods stored by Handy in warehouses of New Orleans and Lafayette. Mar 16 Hildeburn Co., Philadelphia, to George Handy, New Orleans. Business matters. F10 1849 Mar 18-31 Mar 18 Armel & Clough, Madison, La., to George Handy, New Orleans. Business matter. Mar 19-21 Hildeburn Co., Philadelphia, to George Handy, New Orleans. Business. Losses incurred through damage to goods. 1 F10 1849 Mar 18-31 (cont’d) Mar 21 W. L. Lanier, Memphis, Tenn., to George Handy, New Orleans. Personal letter. Health of his family. Regards to Col. Powell. Mar 23 A. H. Handy, Canton, Miss., to his cousin, George Handy, New Orleans. Personal matters. Mar 24 Robert Buchanan, Philadelphia, to George Handy, New Orleans. Asks help, presumably financial, in building stabling. Mar 24 Hildeburn Co., Philadelphia, to George Handy, New Orleans. Business. Sold pecans for Mr. Powell at very low price. Mar 25 Isaac Handy, Philadelphia, to his uncle, George Handy, New Orleans. Has attended dull session of Legislature. Favorable impression of new governor, W.F. Johnson. Items about Pennsylvania politics. Coming Methodist Episcopal conference. News of friends: Mr. & Mrs. Buchler moved to Harrisburg; "Brother E" and widow Dickinson expected to marry; Mr. & Mrs. Powell left for France. Mar 26 George Handy, New Orleans, to Armel & Clough, Madison, La. Business matters. Mar 26 Hildeburn Co., Philadelphia, to George Handy, New Orleans. Business. Pork and cotton market dull. Mar 26 G. Duncan, Louisville, Ky., to George Handy, New Orleans. Concerning sale of Handy's property for debt to bank. Mar 30 Thomas P. Sparhawk, Philadelphia, to George Handy, New Orleans. Personal letter: Mentions friends. Mar 31-Apr 3 Hildeburn Co., Philadelphia, to George Handy, New Orleans. Business. Cholera worse in Kentucky and Tennessee. 1 F11 1849 Apr Apr 4-May 11 T. L. MacKay, Memphis, Tenn., to George Handy, New Orleans. George Handy, New Orleans, reply to T. L. MacKay, Alton, Ill. Business transaction. Apr 5-12 Hildeburn Co., Philadelphia, to George Handy, New Orleans. Business. Wish to limit consignments to $200,000 in summer because of fear of cholera. Business dull. Apr 12 Martha Marshall, Canton, Miss., to cousin, George Handy, New Orleans. Personal matters. Speaks of children, Rebecca and Susan. Apr 12 Martin & Smith, Philadelphia, to GeorgeHandy, New Orleans. Business matter. Apr 13 Hildeburn Co., Philadelphia, to George Handy, New Orleans. Business. Dull market. Apr 16 Hildeburn Co., Philadelphia, to George Handy, New Orleans. Business matters. Apr 17 Martin & Smith, Philadelphia, to George Handy, New Orleans. Business. Encloses draft. Apr 19 Hildeburn Co., Philadelphia, to George Handy, New Orleans. Dull business. $70,000 in Apr. 1848, compared to $2,000 in 1849. Asks Handy's quick return. Apr 21 Hildeburn Co., Philadelphia, to George Handy, New Orleans. Business matters. Apr 25 Wm. Porter, Philadelphia, to George Handy, New Orleans. Sale of Handy's Northumberland property to take place in three weeks. Apr 26 Hildeburn Co., Philadelphia, to George Handy, New Orleans. Business matters. Apr 28 Hildeburn Co., Philadelphia, to George Handy, New Orleans. Business matters. 1 F11 1849 Apr (cont’d) Apr 28 A. H. Handy, Canton, Miss., to his cousin, George Handy, New Orleans. Business transaction. Apr 30 W. H. Stockwell, Miss. City, (Miss.?), to George Handy, New Orleans. Personal. Invites Handy for a visit. On back of letter, in pencil, account of a sermon. 2 F12 1849 May May 1-3 Hildeburn Co., Philadelphia, to George Handy, New Orleans. Business. Dull Market worsened "warlike" news from Europe. May 4 J. M. Keyes, New Orleans, to Hildeburn Co., Philadelphia. Notification of a shipment of cotton to Hildeburn Co. through George Handy. May 4-5 Hildeburn Co., Philadelphia, to George Handy, New Orleans. Business. Last letters written before Handy leaves New Orleans for Philadelphia. May 8 Isaac Handy, Philadelphia, to his uncle, George Handy, New Orleans. May and Rosa, Mr. Bates, and Dr. Saulsbury have been visiting. Hopes Bates will not carry out his plans to leave Dover. Edward, Isaac's brother, has married Mrs. Dickinson, his second wife. Death of Mr. Charles Bird. May 10 Hildeburn Co., Philadelphia, to George Handy, Louisville, Ky. Business matters. May 21 Edw. S. Handy, Nashville, Tenn., to his uncle, George Handy, Louisville. Great fire in St. Louis. Cholera epidemic bad in Tennessee. News of friends. May 22 J. A. Otte, New Orleans, to George Handy, New Orleans. Asks Handy to deliver parcels for him. May 23 Bullitts & Fairthorne, Louisville, Ky., to George Handy, New Orleans. Business matter. May 29 Hildeburn Co., Philadelphia, to George Handy, New Orleans. Business matters. Dull market. 2 F13 1849 Jun-Jul Jun 1 E. S. Handy, Nashville, to his uncle,George Handy. Congratulates Handy on his ability to enjoy a rigorous steamboat and stage journey home. Personal matters. His wife, Virginia, has been ill. Drawing on back of letter. Jun 5 Jos. W. Allen, Carthage, Tenn., to his uncle, George Handy, Philadelphia. Floods in New Orleans. Is in bad health. Jun 15 Washington & New Orleans Telegraph Co to George Handy, Philadelphia. Notification of stockholders' meeting. Jun 23 Josiah Lawrence, Cincinnati, Ohio, to George Handy, Philadelphia. Asks Handy to obtain an insurance agency for him. Jun 23 Robert M. Powell, New Orleans, to George Handy, Philadelphia. Business matters. Encloses bill of lading. Jun 23 H. H. Beard, New Orleans, to George Handy, Philadelphia. Personal matters. Encloses bill of lading. Jun 28 Jos. Allen, Lebanon, Tenn., to his uncle, George Handy, Philadelphia. Still in bad health. Jul 2 Margaret Carroll, Lebanon, Ill, to her uncle, George Handy, Philadelphia. Deaths from cholera and fire in St. Louis. Inquires about relatives: Uncle Isaac, Edward, and Aleck. Jul 7 Wm. Chamberlain, Philadelphia, to George Handy, Philadelphia. Asks him to answer letter of Alex McChurg, Pittsburgh. Jul 10 D. O. Hadden, New Orleans, to George Handy, Philadelphia. Business. Writes for company of Shults and Hadden. Jul 17-20 Jos. Allen, Lebanon, Tenn., to his uncle, George Handy, Philadelphia. In the midst of the cholera epidemic. People evacuating town. Deems it the judgement of God. Jul 20 George Collier, St. Louis, Mo., to George Handy, Philadelphia. Cholera and fire in St. Louis. Sees need of insurance agency. Jul 29 G. Duncan, Louisville, Ky., to George Handy, Philadelphia. Business matter. 2 F13 1849 Jun-Jul (cont’d) Jul 30 Jos. Carroll, New Orleans, to George Handy, Philadelphia. Small cotton crop because of rains. Prices are up because of speculation and Spanish buyers. Orders window shades for office. F14 1849 Aug-Sep Aug 3 R. C. Cummings, New Orleans, to George Handy, Philadelphia. Rain damaging cotton crop. Several cases of yellow fever. Aug 4 David Hadden, New Orleans, to George Handy, Philadelphia. Asks advice and financial aid to his nephew, Joseph Calvin, who is beginning Princeton Theological Seminary. Market dull, except tobacco and cotton. Greetings from Dr. Scott. The Canal Bank has been discovered as dishonest, and its personnel has to be changed. Aug 7 Jos. Allen, Lebanon, Tenn., to his uncle, George Handy, Philadelphia. Cholera still prevalent. Lebanon depopulated by migration and death. Death of Mr. Morris. Aug 8 Robert Powell, New Orleans, to George Handy, Philadelphia. Asks Handy to promote his interests with a reliable company in Philadelphia. Aug 11 Lewis Whiteman, Cincinnati, to George Handy, Philadelphia. Cholera epidemic. Comments on Handy's good fortune to live with his adopted daughter and her children. Wishes he could join Handy in a trip to Wilmington. News of Presbyterian church. Aug 11 Ralph King, Bremen, Germany, to George Handy, Philadelphia. Tells of trip across Atlantic in 16 days. Took steamboat from the harbor up the Weser to Bremen, an old city, within the ramparts of which has been built the New City. Under the City Hall he had some wine from the famous wine cellars, vintage of 1624. Large tobacco business. Free port. Cotton market increasing. Germans are turning to the manufacture of cotton. Business suffering from Danish blockade, expected to be withdrawn. Stays at best hotel, Hellman, at one half the price it would cost in New York. 2 F14 1849 Aug-Sep (cont’d) Aug 19 George Martin, (Aulorgne?), to his cousin, George Handy, Philadelphia. Trouble with the cotton crop-- rain, frost, floods, bowl worn." Intends to send his daughter to Philadelphia or Virginia to school, his son to Washington College in Virginia. Sends greeting to his cousins, George and John Martin; Jas. and Jno. Richards; Mr. & Mrs. Bates. Aug 24 Jno. Richardson, Warm Springs, Ga., to George Handy, Philadelphia. Describes the surrounding countryside as very beautiful. Very fashionable resort. Surprised at absence of intoxicating drinks and travel on Sunday. Superior coaches and roads. With freedom from slavery, he thinks it would be a glorious country. Thinks this will surely come, although it may be postponed by foreign intervention. Blacks treated well in this section. Springs have temperature of 98 degrees; very beneficial. He is on his way home. Travels 20 to 30 miles a day by coach with his family. Aug 29 N. G. Nye, Yazoo City, Miss., to George Handy, Philadelphia. Asks Handy to further his interests with a Mr. Fisher, representative of the English of Morrison Bros. & Co. Cotton crop very poor. One-half of usual crop. Aug 31-Sep 3 J. H. Calvin, Princeton, N. J., to George Handy, Philadelphia. Lists his expenses, which Handy has arranged to meet. Asks more money for winter. Likes Princeton. Good library. 140 students. Likes his professors, especially one Dr. Alexander. Acknowledges receipt of draft. Asks $20 more. Sep 4 Jos. Allen, Bon Air, Tenn., to his uncle, George Handy, Philadelphia. Cholera is abating. Tobacco market good in New Orleans. Has moved to Bon Air for his health. Speaks constantly of death. Sep 10 George Martin, Charleston, Miss., to cousin, George Handy, Philadelphia. Is on his way to Philadelphia. Sep 15 J. H. Calvin, Princeton, to George Handy, Philadelphia. Acknowledges receipt of money. 2 F14 1849 Aug-Sep (cont’d) Sep 15 David Hadden, New Orleans, to George Handy, Philadelphia. Directions about finances of his nephew at Princeton. Sep 18 Gove Saulsbury, Dover, Del., to George Handy, Philadelphia. Orders household articles for his wife, Rosa. Sep 22 Jos. Allen, Bon Air, Tenn., to his uncle, George Handy, Philadelphia. Is recovering from his illness. Has met a friend of Handy's, a Mr. Hoffman from New Orleans. Sep 21 Robert Patterson, Co., to George Handy, Philadelphia. Business matter. F15 1849 Oct-Dec Oct 8 Elizabeth Warren, Wilmington, Del., to George Handy, Philadelphia. Asks for money for herself and widowed sister, who are in great need. Oct 9 Sturgis Bennett & Co., New York, to George Handy, Philadelphia. Account sales for peaches sold for Handy. Poor sale. Oct 19 Jos. W. Allen, Lebanon, Tenn., to his uncle, George Handy, Philadelphia. Sympathizes with Handy on death of his small grandson. Is in better health after visit to Bon Air. Nov 17 Gove Saulsbury, Dover, Del., to George Handy, Philadelphia. Orders utensils for his fireplace and an invention to keep the chimney from smoking. Nov 21 Jos. Allen, New Orleans, to his uncle, George Handy, Philadelphia. Speaks of explosion of boilers on steamboat "Louisiana." He was on another boat and narrowly escaped. Lives with Robert Powell, who had also reserved a room for Handy, but regrets to hear that Handy's company has gone out of business, and Handy will not be in New Orleans for the winter. It appears that Allen is a preacher. Nov 23 David Hadden, New Orleans, to George Handy, Philadelphia. Business. Sorry to hear of dissolution of Handy's firm. 2 F15 1849 Oct-Dec (cont’d) Dec 4 J. H. Calvin, Princeton, to George Handy, Philadelphia. Asks for money. Sickness in the seminary. Dec 11 Robert Powell, New Orleans, to George Handy, Philadelphia. Asks return of some letters. Jos. Allen encloses note. Dec 24 Jos. Allen, New Orleans, to Mr. McAllister, Philadelphia. Orders new pair of gold-rimmed spectacles like those he bought in 1842. Dec 24 Jos. Allen, New Orleans, to his uncle, George Handy, Philadelphia. Describes Christmas scenes. Healthful surroundings, pleasant weather, in contrast to last year's cholera epidemic. News of friends--Powell, Whiteman. Encloses letter to McAllister. F16 1850-1852 1850 Jan 1 J. H. Calvin, Princeton, to George Handy, Philadelphia. Asks for money. Jan 10-15 Jos. Allen, New Orleans, to his uncle, George Handy, Philadelphia. Personal matters. Cotton and tobacco market good. Wishes for a good wife. Anxious to see his "little boy." Coat of arms on seal. Jan 30 Charles Ripley, Louisville, Ky., toGeorge Handy, Philadelphia. Business. Concerning payment of a debt. Apr 30 A. I. Meeker(?), Co., New Orleans, to George Handy, Philadelphia. Business matters. 1852 Oct 20 Map of Arkansas, showing extent of public surveys there on September 30, 1851. Map removed to oversize. 2 F17 1859-1861 Tax receipts and a letter from Wm. Woodruff, Little Rock, Ark., to Edward Handy, Philadelphia. Notification that annual taxes on land in Arkansas belonging to George Handy’s estate are increased by 50%, as a result of the war. 2 F18 1866-1867 Tax receipts on land belonging to the estate of George Handy in Arkansas. Letter from Wm. Woodruff, land agent in Arkansas, to D. M. Bates, Dover, Delaware in which he advises sale of Arkansas lands to the first person who has applied for them in 20 years. Thinks the land is not very good, and in any event would not bring a better offer, since money is scarce under the "Negro rule" of the government. F19 1869-1871 Tax receipts on land belonging to the estate of George Handy in Arkansas. 1871 May 8 Letter from J. H. Haney, Little Rock, Ark., to G. H. Bates, Wilmington. In reply to an inquiry about the legality of the claim of the children of a niece of a testator (George Handy?) who died before the testator. Recommends Bates go to Gould's Digest of Statutes for information. Jul 3 John Taylor, Little Rock, Arkansas, toGeorge Handy Bates. Land commissioner for Arkansas Central Railroad, he asks Bates to trade his land for stock in the railroad company. Dec 27 J. H. Haney, Little Rock, Ark., to George Bates, Wilmington, Del. Information on taxes to be paid. F20 1848 Dec – 1849 Apr Bills of lading, receipts, and accounts sales relating to George Handy's business. 2 F21 Undated correspondence [n.d.] Payment receipt for steamer. Chief Justice Marshall, Dr. [n.d.] Receipt of SB Chief Justice Marshall, Dr. [n.d.] Patrick Turpin, New Orleans, to George Handy, New Orleans. Asks to be remembered for past favors. [n.y.]: Aug 6 J. Richardson, White Sulphur Springs, Ga., to George Handy. Journeyed to springs by railroad--250 miles--and stage--150 miles. Describes location as very beautiful. [n.d.] Unidentified to George Handy, New Orleans. Business. Shipment of flour. [n.d.] Report of a business conversation between George Handy and a Mr. Baer. [n.d.] Circular--Brooklyn Warehouse Company.
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