Shelf List

 

 

R         Cresswell family.

7                      Papers, 1823-1979.

                                    987 items.

 

 

 

George Cresswell (1796-1871) emigrated to the United States from his native Eng­land in 1821.  After living briefly in Pennsylvania he brought his family to Washington County in the new state of Missouri.  There he acquired large holdings of land and became involved in farming, lead mining and smelting, flour milling, and the mercantile trade.  His home and business activi­ties eventually were established at Aptus, on Mineral Fork Creek about ten miles north of Potosi, the county seat.  Today the Cresswell house and ruins of the lead fur­nace still stand and are owned by a descendent of George Cresswell.

 

Folder     Title and contents

 

01            Correspondence, 1823-1829 (5 items).

1823, April 6.  Joseph Sims, [Gallipolis, Ohio?], to George Cresswell, Philipsburg, Centre County, Pa.

1824, November 2.  Stephen Cresswell, [England], to George Cresswell, Pittsburgh, Pa.

1829, June 21.  Stephen Cresswell, Nottingham, England, to George Cresswell, Po­tosi, Mo.

1829, August 10.  Stephen Cresswell, England, to George Cresswell, Potosi, Mo.

1829, September 1.  James Cliff, Scropton, England, to George Cresswell, Potosi, Mo.

 

02            Correspondence, 1830-1839 (12 items).

1830, April 11.  Ann Hanson, Marston upon Dover, England, to George Cresswell, Potosi, Mo.

1830, June 17.  Stephen Cresswell, Nottingham, England, to George Cresswell, Po­tosi, Mo.

1832, April 8.  Stephen Cresswell, Nottingham, England, to George Cresswell, Po­tosi, Mo.

1833, December 14.  Stephen Cresswell, Nottingham, England, to George Cresswell, Potosi, Mo.

1836, January 25.  Stephen Cresswell, Nottingham, England, to George Cresswell, Po­tosi, Mo.

1836, December 8.  J. S. Chenoweth & Co., Louisville, Ky., to Sweringin & Bissell, St. Louis, Mo.

1837, January 13.  John Shensley[?], Dubuque Mines, Wis. Terr., to George Cresswell, Old Mines, Mo.

1837, January 26.  Thomas Orme, Derbyshire, England, to George Cresswell, Po­tosi, Mo.

1838, September 17.  Jonathan Smith, n.p., to George Cresswell, n.p.

1839, August 19.  George Cresswell and Mrs. Henry Turner, Nottingham, England, to George Cresswell, Potosi, Mo.

1839, August 29.  George Cresswell, New Radford, England, to George Cresswell, Po­tosi, Mo.

1839, September 1.  Stephen Cresswell, Nottingham, England, to George Cresswell, Potosi, Mo.

 

 

03            Correspondence, 1840-1849 (17 items).

1840, March 29.  Stephen and Harriet Cresswell, Nottingham, England, to George Cresswell, Potosi, Mo.

1841, July 27.  George and Mary Cresswell, New Radford, England, to George Cresswell, Potosi, Mo.

1841, September 4.  Abigail Cresswell Dolphin, Nottingham, England, to George Cresswell, Potosi, Mo.

1841, November 5.  Nathaniel Hinkel, Franklin County, Mo., to George Cresswell, Mineral Fork, Mo.

1842, September 18.  George and Mary Cresswell, New Radford, England, to George Cresswell, Potosi, Mo.

1842, December 17.  George, Stephen, and Harriet Cresswell, New Radford, Eng­land, to George Cresswell, Potosi, Mo.

1843, September 4.  John F. Mudd, Steelville, Mo., to George Cresswell, n.p.

1844, July 24.  George, Stephen, and Harriet Cresswell, New Radford, England, to George Cresswell, Potosi, Mo.

1844, August 8.  James J. Johnson and John Steel, Plattsburgh, Mo., to George Cresswell, Potosi, Mo.

1845, January 27.  George Cresswell, New Radford, England, to George Cresswell, n.p.

1845, January 29.  George Cresswell, New Radford, England, to George Cresswell, Potosi, Mo.

1845, June 20.  George Cresswell, New Radford, England, to George Cresswell, Po­tosi, Mo.

1846, June 2.  William Johnson, St. Louis, Mo., to George Cresswell, Potosi, Mo.

1846, July 26.  Stephen Cresswell, Nottingham, England, to George Cresswell, Po­tosi, Mo.

1846, July 30.  W. Johnson, St. Louis, Mo., to George Cresswell, Old Mines, Mo.

1847, February 8.  T. H. Capers, St. Louis, Mo., to Edward J. C. Kewen, Columbus, Miss.

1849, September 17.  T. D. Crocker, Burlington, Iowa, to George Cresswell, n.p.

 

04            Correspondence, 1850-1859 (15 items).

1850, January 22.  Doan, King & Co., St. Louis, Mo., to George Cresswell, Old Mines, Mo.

1850, December 22.  Stephen and Harriet Cresswell, Nottingham, England, to Ste­phen J. Cresswell, Old Mines, Mo.

1851, October 19.  L. R. L., Arenzville, Ill., to Joseph Cresswell, Fourche à Renault, Mo.

1851, November 1.  William R. Gergen [Geiger?], Bagdad on Feather River, Calif., to Will [Cresswell?], n.p.

1853, April 8.  T. D. and D. J. Crocker, Burlington, Iowa, to George Cresswell, n.p.

1854, June 12.  Crocker & Bro., per D. J. Crocker, St. Louis, Mo., to George Cresswell, n.p.

1857, January 19.  Doan, King & Co., per C. H. Austin, St. Louis, Mo., to George Cresswell, Old Mines, Mo.

1857, March 22.  William Hulsey, Indian Creek, Mo., to George Cresswell, Fourche à Renault, Mo.

1857, December 2.  S. L. Bolduc, Old Mines, Mo., to George Cresswell, Fourche à Renault, Mo.

1857, December 7.  W. M. Morrison & Co., St. Louis, Mo., to George Cresswell, Old Mines, Mo. [Photocopy].

1858, May 28.  Squires & Blass, Burlington, Iowa, to Charless, Blow & Co., St. Louis, Mo.

1858, November 1.  George Washington Wilkson, Tyro, Jefferson County, Mo., to George Cresswell, Fourche à Renault, Mo.

1859, July 12.  B. F. Mason, Manchester, Mo., to George[?] Cresswell, n.p.

1859, October 24.  Squires & Blass, Burlington, Iowa, to Charless, Blow & Co., n.p.

1859, November 22.  Robert Cresswell, Denby Common, England, to George Cresswell, n.p.

 

05            Correspondence, 1860-1869 (30 items).

1860, February 7.  Charless, Blow & Co., St. Louis, Mo., to George Cresswell, Min­eral Fork, Mo.

1860, February 9.  Stephen Bolduc, Old Mines, Mo., to George Cresswell, n.p.

1860, April 5.  Mary Jane (Hinkson) Hadsell, Dry Town, Calif., to Mary Nicholson, n.p.

1860, November 5.  Robert Cresswell, Denby Common, England, to George Cresswell, n.p.

1861, February 21.  James Norton, Volcano, Amador County, Calif., to George Cresswell, n.p.

1862, September 18 [fragment].  Joseph B. M------, 1st Lt., Co. C, to George Cresswell, n.p.

1862, September 27 [fragment].  P. P. Marion, St. Louis, Mo., to Patrick Brennan, In­dian Creek, Mo.

1863, February 20.  Daniel Q. Gale, U.S. Assessor, Washington, Mo., to George Cresswell, n.p.

1863, March 2.  Doan, King & Co., St. Louis, Mo., to George Cresswell, Mineral Fork, Mo.

1863, May 19.  George and E. P. Cresswell, n.p., to “Father and Mother,” n.p.

1864, April 2.  C. P. Squires & Co., Burlington, Iowa, to Peter E. Blow, St. Louis, Mo.

1864, June 11.  A. S. Squire, Bunker Hill, Ill., to “Aunt and Uncle,” n.p.

1865, March 18.  George Cresswell, n.p., to “Father and Mother,” n.p.

1865, December 11.  Lulu H. Cross, Bunker Hill, Ill., to “Cousin,” n.p.

1866, March 15.  Mary J. Morrow, West Butte, Sutter County, Calif., to Elizabeth A. Ion, n.p.

1866, May 21.  J. P[?]. Doan, St. Louis, Mo., to George Cresswell, n.p.

1866, November 12.  D. Y. Overton, Burlington, Iowa, to Henry T. Blow, St. Louis, Mo.

1867, March 27.  John McKillop & Co., St. Louis, Mo., to George Cresswell, Fourche à Renault, Mo.

1867, June 1.  Ewing Smith, Jefferson City, Mo., to the Rev. W. H. D. Hatton, n.p.

1867, June 12.  D. Y. Overton, Burlington, Iowa, to “Bank at St. Louis.”

1867, August 14.  Burris & Bond, St. Louis, Mo., to George Cresswell, Fourche à Ren­ault, Mo.

1867, October 16.  Samuel H. Little, Arnaux Branch, Washington County, Mo., to George Cresswell, n.p.

1867, October 24.  Burris & Bond, St. Louis, Mo., to George Cresswell, Mineral Fork, Mo.

1867, December 20.  Morris, Peters & Holmes, St. Louis, Mo., to George Cresswell, Cadet, Mo.

1868, June 17.  George Cresswell to J. P. Doane [on letterhead of A. & D. O'Brien, St. Louis, Mo.].

1868, July 17.  A. & D. O'Brien, St. Louis, Mo., to George Cresswell, Mineral Fork Mills, Mo.

1869, January 4.  A. & D. O'Brien, St. Louis, Mo., to George Cresswell, Fourche à Renault, Mo.

1869, May 10.  John Ion, Chulahoma, Miss., to E. A. Ion, Potosi, Mo.

1869, July 6.  A. & D. O'Brien, St. Louis, Mo., to George Cresswell, Mineral Fork Mills, Mo.

1869, August 10.  A. & D. O'Brien, St. Louis, Mo., to George Cresswell, Mineral Fork Mills, Mo.

 

06            Correspondence, 1870-1914 (17 items).

1870, February 28.  M. Conger, n.p., to “Friend Cresswell,” n.p.

1870, May 21.  A. & D. O'Brien, St. Louis, Mo., to George Cresswell, Mineral Fork, Mo.

1870, July 20.  [Illegible], St. Louis, Mo., to “Emory,” n.p.

1870, July 27.  J. H. DeLay[?], St. Louis, Mo., to George Cresswell, n.p.

1870, December 26.  Paul Declue, n.p., to George Cresswell, Sr., n.p.

1871, January 21.  George Cresswell, n.p., to George Cresswell, Sr., n.p.

1871, February 3.  James Leffel & Co., Springfield, Ohio, to George Cresswell, Fourche à Renault, Mo.

1871, December 3.  George Cresswell, n.p., to Hannah Cresswell, n.p.

1873, March 16.  Emma Scott, Holloway, England, to Lizzie [?], Potosi, Mo.

1873[?], August 24.  Jerne Thomas, St. Louis, Mo., to Lizzie [Ion?], n.p.

1876, February 3.  M. D. Heltzell & Co., St. Louis, Mo., to Hannah Cresswell, Ca­det, Mo.

1876, May 1.  Joseph A. Buckland, St. Louis, Mo., to “Our Western Patrons.”

1880, January 24.  J. S. Compton, Potter Valley, Calif., to E. A. Ion, n.p.

1880, February 11.  George Cresswell, Cuba, Mo., to Joseph Cresswell, Fourche à Renault, Mo.

1886, March 31.  M. Delafontaine, Chicago, Ill., “Report on a Sample of Water ...”

1907, February 11.  A. L. Reeves, Steelville, Mo., to Joseph Cresswell, Aptus, Mo.

1914, December 6.  Francis Politte, Cadet, Mo., to Joseph Cresswell, n.p.

 

07            Correspondence, fragments and undated (7 items).

[?], April 18.  Gill & Murphy, St. Louis, Mo., to Hannah Cresswell, Fourche à Ren­ault, Mo.

[?].   George H. Cresswell to [?], pages 5 and 6.

[ca. 1839].   Robert Cresswell, Denby Common, England, to [?].

[after 1831].   Robert Cresswell, Denby Common, England, to [?].

[?].  Fragment of note to Green C. Terry.

[?], March 17.  Cover, addressed to John Ion, Chulahoma, Miss., from Manchester, Mo.

1887, February 3.  Cover only, postmarked Saratoga, Kans.[?], addressed to Mary Nicholson, Potosi, Mo.

 

08            Land papers, 1831-1839 (4 items).

 

09            Land papers, 1840-1849 (24 items).

 

10            Land papers, 1850-1859 (9 items).

 

11            Land papers, 1860-1869 (11 items).

 

12            Land papers, 1870-1925 (5 items).

 

13            Land papers, fragments and undated (16 items).

 

14            Legal papers, 1830-1839 (4 items).

15            Legal papers, 1840-1849 (7 items).

 

16            Legal papers, 1850-1859 (9 items).

 

17            Legal papers, 1860-1869 (15 items).

 

18            Legal papers, 1870-1879 (5 items).

 

19            Legal papers, 1880-1909 and undated (8 items).

 

20            Slave papers, 1833-1855 and undated (13 items).

 

21            Tax papers, 1840-1859 (27 items).

For the most part these are receipts for the payment of various real estate, mer­chant’s, and personal taxes.  Several include lists of Cresswell land holdings.  In­cluded are re­ceipts to Stephen R. Cresswell, dated 31 October 1859, for payment of “a Special Tax for paying the subscription of [Washington] County to the capital stock of the St. Louis and Iron Mountain Railroad Company.”

 

22            Tax papers, 1860-1869 (42 items).

For the most part these are receipts for the payment of various county, state, and fed­eral taxes.  Several include lists of Cresswell land holdings.  The increase in U.S. fed­eral taxation efforts during the Civil War is well documented, including a federal in­come tax form for 1866.

 

23            Tax papers, 1870-1879 (14 items).

For the most part these are receipts for the payment of various county, state, and fed­eral taxes.  Several include lists of Cresswell land holdings.  Of particular interest are sheets of U.S. Internal Revenue liquor and tobacco tax coupons.

 

24            Tax papers, 1880-1911 and undated (19 items).

These are receipts for the payment of various state and county taxes.  Several in­clude descriptions of Cresswell land holdings.

 

25            Furnace account book, 1853-1876 (1 item, 4½" x 7").

The furnace ledger covers two distinct time periods.  The first, for the years 1853 and 1854, has records for “Lead hauled to Selma,” and “Mineral hauled into the fur­nace.”  The second period covers the years 1868 to 1876, and in general devotes one page to mineral received and the facing page to lead produced and/or shipped, often to Cadet after 1870.  After George Cresswell's death in 1871 there are occa­sional distinc­tions among “Mineral of the Estate,” “Mineral from Mill Property,” and “Publick Mineral.”  There is one section devoted to “Pluckin Digers,” 1875.

 

26            Store ledger, 1868-1874 (1 item, 346 pages).

This is the individual account ledger for the general store located near the fur­nace.  The volume is indexed at the front according to the surname of the customer.

 

27            Chadbourne & Forster, 1856-1875 (93 items).

Accounts, receipts, and other business papers concerning Theo. Forster & Co. (1856-1857) and Chadbourne & Forster (1860-1875), commission merchants of Selma and St. Louis, Mo., respectively.  The Cresswells marketed lead through “C & F,” and many of these items are confirmations of sales, noting the date, amount of lead, commission and other charges, and the amount credited to the Cresswell ac­count.  After 1871 George Cresswell's estate continued in account with “C & F.”

28            Moody, Michel & Co., 1867-1874 (43 items).

Receipts and other business papers concerning the Cresswells’ dealings with Moody, Michel & Co. of St. Louis, Mo., “wholesale grocers and importers of for­eign wines & liquors, manufacturers of domestic liquors & rectifiers of whiskey.”

 

29            Samuel C. Davis & Co., 1854-1874 (86 items).

Invoices and other business papers concerning George Cresswell’s dealings with “Sam'l C. Davis & Co.” of St. Louis, MO., “wholesale dealers in groceries, dry goods, boots and shoes.”

 

30            St. Louis merchants (not elsewhere classified), 1852-1907 (103 items).

Bills and receipts from various merchants located in St. Louis, Mo., including: Doan, King & Co.; Squire & Reed (iron merchants); Blow, Curd & Co.; Fiske, Knight & Co.; Burris & Bond; and many others.

 

31            Miscellaneous business records, receipts, etc., 1837-1849 (41 items).

For the most part these are promissory notes due George Cresswell.

 

32            Miscellaneous business records, receipts, etc., 1850-1859 (45 items).

 

33            Miscellaneous business records, receipts, etc., 1860-1869 (24 items).

 

34            Miscellaneous business records, receipts, etc., 1870-1879 (6 items).

 

35            Miscellaneous business records, receipts, etc., 1880-1889 (7 items).

 

36            Miscellaneous business records, receipts, etc., 1890-1899 (10 items).

 

37            Miscellaneous business records, receipts, etc., 1900-1925 (24 items).

 

38            Miscellaneous business records, receipts, etc., undated and fragments (27 items).

 

39            Promissory notes, 1835-1854 (2 volumes).

Records of notes due; the second volume (1836-1854) includes completed notes.

 

40            Promissory notes, 1843-1858 (2 volumes).

 

41            Memorandum books, 1877-1879 (2 volumes).

One book is labeled “Hauling Book for 1877,” and contains furnace and mill ac­counts.  The other, similar, book is almost unused.

 

42            “Account Book of Jos. Cresswell,” 1884-1905 (1 volume).

 

43            Papers of George F. Cresswell, M.D., ca. 1925-1945 (12 items).

a) G. F. Cresswell to Harry Brundage, n.d. [draft].

b) Text of address by Cresswell concerning “labor conditions in the tiff and timber industries of Washington County” (7 pages).

c) Clipping, St. Louis Star-Times (14 January 1938) [photocopy].

d) “Assessment of needs and accomplishments of Washington County,” by Cresswell, ca. 1945 (pages 2, 3, and 4 only).

e) Paper on conservation by Cresswell, ca. 1940s (15 pages).

f) Prospectus for the timber industry, n.d. (6 pages).

g) Article for Potosi Independent-Journal concerning child labor in the tiff mines, 1 April 1937 (typescript).

h) Typescript, “Dedication and Open House, Washington County Memorial Hospi­tal,” n.d.

i) Manuscript, “To Editor St. Louis Post-Dispatch,” 7 October 1938 (17 pages).

j) Clipping, St. Louis Star-Times, 13 January 1938, concerning child labor in the tiff mines.

k) St. Joseph Lead Company, St. Joe Safety Magazine, October 1940; includes an ar­ticle concerning a motion picture filmed at the Cresswell furnace.

l) Booklet, “Child Labor in the Tiff Mines,” by Charles E. Gibbons, Director, De­partment of Investigation, National Child Labor Committee.

 

44            School records, 1852-1881 (16 items).

Assorted documents concerning Washington County School District No. 1.

 

45            School records, 1887-1911 and undated (15 items).

Miscellaneous items, mostly concerning Washington County School District No. 1.  There is also a “Programme” for “Brother Josiah,” a musical entertainment pre­sented at Potosi High School on 19 May 1911.

 

46            School registers, 1893-1895 and 1898-1908 (2 volumes).

Register books for Burgowitch School.

 

47            Miscellaneous clippings, ca. 1913-1979 (17 items).

Included are obituaries for John Ion (1917) and Joseph Cresswell (1925).

 

48            Miscellaneous political and economic material, 1874-1910 (9 items).

Included are several election summaries.

 

49            Miscellaneous advertising and printed material, ca. 1865-1910 (32 items).

Included are a stock certificate for the Old Mines Lead Company (1875) and a map of the St. Louis World's Fair (1904).

 

50            The Story of Barytes (1 volume).

Booklet illustrated by Oscar E. Berninghaus and published in 1920 by the DeLore Baryta Company.

 

51            Miscellany (28 items)

Mostly empty postal covers.

 

52            Oversize volumes, 1900 (2 volumes).

“Journal-Day Book, Advanced Department, The Bryant & Stratton College, Century Building” (1900).

“Ledger.  Advanced Department.  The Bryant & Stratton College.  Century Build­ing.” (1900).

These items appear to be sample account books used in a business or accounting course.

 

 


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