1.   Historical note

2.   Scope and content

3.   Provenance

4.   Processing note

5.   Inventory

6.   Subjects


    List of finding aids

    R.I.H.S. Library page

    R.I.H.S. home page

 Samuel Slater Collection

 Pawtucket, R.I., textile manufacturer

 Collected papers, 1811-1848

 Size: .25 ft. (1 box, 20" x 16" x 1.5")

 Catalog number: MSS 719

 Processed by: Rick Stattler, 3/1995


©Rhode Island Historical Society

Manuscripts Division

 


Historical note:


            Samuel Slater (1768-1835) has popularly been credited as being the founding father of the industrial revolution in the United States, mainly for his role in the firm of Almy & Brown in 1790. He went on to become a successful mill owner himself, and in various partnerships with family members. There is no shortage of secondary reference material on his business activities.


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Scope and content:


            This collection represents only a few random fragments of the papers generated by Samuel Slater and his businesses. Included are three letters written by Slater, one written to him, a receipt, two deeds, and a plat map. There are also records from two of Slater's partnerships: Samuel & John Slater (3 items), and Samuel Slater & Sons (2 items). Two items are only photocopies of originals in private hands.

            Other papers relating to Samuel Slater may be found in the following manuscript groups:


Mss 29: Almy and Brown Records (extensive business correspondence)

Mss 26: John Slater Papers (his brother)

Mss 255: Almy, Brown and Slater Records

Mss 9001-S Miscellaneous Manuscripts.

Several folders on relatives of Slater, including: estate of Esther Slater, 1858-1861; a record book of the firm J & W Slater; and papers of his son Horatio Slater.


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Provenance:


            The provenance of each item is given in the listing below.


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Processing note:


            The items in this collection were organized in the 1980's into three separately boxed collections: Samuel Slater (call # S 631 s), Samuel & John Slater (S 631 sj) and Samuel Slater & Sons (S 631 ss). Housing these items as one collection saves space and puts all of our limited Slater holdings in one place. The collection was rehoused in an oversized archival box and folders to accomodate the larger items.


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Inventory:


Folder 1: Samuel Slater - Correspondence

            1. To the Town of North Providence, 9/18/1818 (photocopy).

                          Donated 4/8/1976.

            2. From William Marchant, 4/4/1819. 10 p. Gift unknown.

            3. To Capt. N.G.B. Dexter, 5/7/1827. Donated 9/14/1973

            4. To Samuel Smith, 9/10/1829. Removed from R.I.H.S.M., 17-83

Folder 2. Samuel Slater - Miscellaneous

1. Receipt, from Dr. Miles Manchester, for rent of store (photocopy), 12/19/1811. Donated 10/12/1994

            2. Deed from Johnson Gardiner, 11/4/1830. Donated 1/23/1970?

                        (old folder read: "From K-AB Along & Brown Papers")

            3. Plat map, 5/1831, from Smithfield. Donated 1/23/1970?

4. Deed to William Beatty of Sutton, Mass., 4/10/1832 for land in Pawtucket. Donated 6/2/1992. With typed transcription and recent drawing of Slater Mill.

Folder 3: Samuel & John Slater Co.

1. Deed, William Almy and Obadiah Brown to Samuel and John Slater, 5/26/1806. Donated 9/14/1973

            2. Letter from E.B. Robinson, 8/11/1818. Gift unknown.

            3. Bond from Jewett City Manufacturing Co., 7/10/1823.

                        Donated 9/14/1973

Folder 4: Samuel Slater & Sons

            1. Insurance policy from American Insurance Co., 1/12/1841.

Anonymous gift, #1948.27, pasted onto cardboard.

            2. Letter from William Woodward & Co., 5/20/1848.

                        Gift unknown.


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Subjects:


Almy, William (1761-1836)

Beatty, William (Of Sutton, Mass.)

Brown, Obadiah (1771-1822)

Deeds - R.I. - Smithfield

Dexter, Capt. Nathaniel G.B. (1788-1866)

Gardner, Johnson (Physician, of North Providence)

Jewett City Manufacturing Company (Jewett City, CT)

Manchester, Dr. Miles

Marchant, William (1774-1857)

North Providence, R.I. - Tax Collection

Robinson, John B.

Slater, John (1776-1843)

Slater, Samuel & Sons

Slater, S & J

Smith, Samuel (1752-1839)

Woodward, William & Co.



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RIHS1822