Hamilton and Hood papers

The Hamilton and Hood papers, spanning the dates 1796-1831, consists of 31 items (.1 linear ft.) of business correspondence received by Mr. John Hamilton and Mr. John M. Hood, and a 1796 medical bill for the treatment of James Hood’s wife (relation to John M. Hood not clear). Prior to 1816 the letters were addressed to John Hamilton, “Merchant, No. 4 Market Street, Philadelphia,” but after this year they were addressed to the firm of Hamilton & Hood, “Merchants, Philadelphia.”

As dry goods grocers and wine merchants, the Hamilton & Hood firm was affiliated with many different types of merchants located throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. They were also in close contact with individuals wishing to purchase goods. David Wylie (3 items) and John Rose & Company (6 items) appear frequently in the correspondence. David Wylie appears to have been an associate or an agent of Hamilton & Hood working out of New York City. Most of his correspondence refers to the prices of dry goods such as sugar, tea, and coffee, as well as shipment times and destinations. He frequently refers to changing prices, shipments via schooner to Baltimore, and bargaining with merchants in New York in order to secure the best prices for products.

John Rose & Company was involved in the lumber industry, and the letters from John Rose & Company make reference to desired and actual prices for wood, modes of shipping the wood, as well as orders for goods to be shipped to Laurel Hill, New Jersey, where John Rose & Co. was located. This series of letters also discusses the agreements made between merchants and the ship captains who transport goods, and the effect the weather had on the lumber business.

Many orders for goods placed by individuals are also represented in the collection. An 1832 letter from Mary T. Tubbs of Christiana, Delaware, represents this type of request. Forwarded through G.H. Wood of Newark, Delaware, Mary Tubbs placed an order for Maderia, cinnamon cordial, peach brandy, lamp oil, candles, brown sugar, raisins, and other goods, as well as instructions for securing the containers to hold the dry goods and the liquor.

This small collection provides insight into the nature of the market economy in the early republic period in America. Students of early nineteenth century American history will find useful evidence of economic transactions and commercial delivery throughout the Mid-Atlantic region.