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3. Provenance 5. Inventory 6. Subjects |
Providence foundry Records, 1851-1902 Size: .5 lin. ft. Catalog number: MSS 619 Processed by: Rick Stattler, June 1995 ©Rhode Island Historical Society Manuscripts Division |
Historical note:
The Phenix Iron Foundry of Providence, R.I. was established in 1830, and was located on Elm Street. Among their prominent early stockholders was machinist Arnold Peters of Smithfield, R.I., a former employee of Samuel Slater & Sons, who first became involved in 1839. Charles R. Earle became president and treasurer in 1886.
Bibliography:
Biographical History of the Manufacturers and Businessmen of Rhode Island, 1901. p. 181
Biographical Cyclopedia of Rhode Island, p. 348
Scope and content:
The "Phenix Iron Foundry Records" are not very extensive, and contain a broad variety of materials, most of which do not relate directly to the firm. The only actual records of the firm are an inventory book, 1851-1865, an advertising testimonial from 1893, and a 1902 receipt. Also included are a series of letters received by Arnold Peters, 1869-1881, which seem to relate to the foundry. There are several items from Charles R. Earle, including letter copy books, letters received, patents and contracts, but these seem to relate to his involvement in another concern, the Specialty Machine Company. There is a folder of miscellaneous material, none of which relates in any obvious way to any of the aforementioned.
Provenance:
This collection was donated by Harvard's Baker Library in 1936, presumably culled while processing a larger related collection.
Processing note:
This collection was first organized in 1995, and placed in an archival box and folders. At that point, several plans, blueprints, photographs of machinery and other ephemera were removed to the Graphics Collection. The collection had previously been unfolded, and other items were possibly removed at that time.
Inventory:
1. Phenix Iron Foundry - Inventory, 1851-1865
Annual inventory of stock tools, stock, unfinished work, fixtures, and patterns. With recapitulation.
2. Phenix Iron Foundry - Advertising testimonial, 1893
Receipt, 1902
3. Arnold Peters - Letters received, 1869-1881
4. Charles R. Earle - Letter press book, ca.1889-1901.
5. Charles R. Earle - Letter press book, ca. 1891
Only 7 pages filled.
6. Charles R. Earle - Letters received, 1887, 1902
Also, stock certificates, etc.
7. Charles R. Earle - Patents, 1890-1894 (6 items)
8. Specialty Machine Company - Agreements, etc., 1889-1894
9. Specialty Machine Company - Contract with W.H. Payson and related material, 1892-1894
10. Miscellaneous - Two small unidentified note books
Providence Water Works rate schedule, 1902
Bill for Ageing Machine, n.d.
By-laws of National Color Printing Company
A&W Sprague Company trustees report, 1880
R.I. Manufacturing Company, incorporation, 1885
Unidentified financial statement, 1902
Subjects:
Foundries - Rhode Island - Providence
Iron Industry - Rhode Island - Providence
Patents
Peters, Arnold
Specialty Machine Company
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RIHS1822