An Archive Of Letters Of The Early Industrialist James P. Allaire To His Wife; He Mentions Cornelius Vanderbilt And Notes That His Wife Is In Charge Of The Enterprise: You Must Show Her How To Keep Book And Let Her Go To The Store With YouI Expect To Engage An Engine And It Will Not Do For Me To Be AbsentNow My Dear As You Are Manager Of The Howell Works

JAMES P. ALLAIRE (1785-1858). Allaire was a mechanic and businessman who produced engines for Robert Fultons steamboats. He built the Allaire Works in New Jersey, where he mined for iron ore and produced machines. An archive of five James Allaire letters to his wife Calicia Allaire at the Howell Works. The Village collapsed in 1846, and these letters to his wife were done in the aftermath. He wrote on long blue paper. The archive consists of:1) ALS. 1pg. 8 x 12 . April 12, 1848. New York. An autograph letter signed James P. Allaire: Yesterday I had no letter or tidings from you. I sent after supper to the BoatI look for you on Friday if a good (truncated) day I am somewhat suspicious that you and I will be disappointed for as much as I want to see you, I hope you want to expose yourself to sickness by coming in bad weatherMiss Jack wants to know what kind of ribbon Mrs. Odlum wishes to have on her hat. I shall try to send two bbl Rye Flour to day I hope you have been able to ride out the good days we have had and when I see you, you will look and feel much better than when you left New York. The letter has mailing folds and a seal tear.2) ALS 1pg. 8 x 12 . June 11, 1848. New York. An autograph letter signed James P. Allaire: I have to wait Mr. Collins bidding he sent me word that he would be here on Monday 11 Oclock which will prevent my coming until Tuesday when I will come unless something else prevents meI stay on our own account, it is my duty to provide for my family and we all stand in need of provision. I am going to Red Bank today to see Mr. T.G. Combs, I shall want him to be security for me to carry up the lawsuit to a higher tribunal in July next. If I do not see him today I shall have to stay at Red Bank on Tuesday for that purpose and he may be from home on a weekday my dear, nobody can want to see another more than I do. The letter has light staining and mailing folds.3) ALS. 2pg. 8 x 12 . August 18, 1848. New York. An autograph letter signed James P. Allaire: Jack got home between 2 and 3 OClock this afternoon she could not find me so I did not get your letter till late and as I was uneasy to hear from you I sent a boy down to the Boat but before he returned your letter was handed me by Cousin SusanJack says Matilda took home a very large tomatoe [sic], I expect it was from the seed I got from Mr. CorliersI want the seed for next yearhe cant mix the seed nor have the plants too close that thye mix and have a mongrel sortyou will have some company to make this time pass not very lonely till your old man that loves you as dearly as tho he was young can come and spend a few days with you. I feel that I must not be out of the way not only for the business of the concern but for the business of my own that I expect so much from and have mentioned to you as far as I could and do rightshe was able to give George a whipping I believe our Breed dont make much ado about these things but nevertheless I hope you wont try again. The letter has minor staining and mailing folds.4) ALS. 1pg. 8 x 12 . September 28, 1848. New York. An autograph letter signed James P. Allaire: I have not heard anything about Campbell and DavidInstead of your having less to do, you will have more now that I have sent you Linen for Mrs. Roe and HalI do not wish you to work so hard as to expose your healthI have not sent the Sugar for Brookside nor the Boots or clothsI hope she will help you sow besides gathering apples you must show her how to keep book and let her go to the Store with you for I want you to come to New York some time next week that is if I am not able to come and see you in thE beginning of the week for I shall not be able to come on Saturday. Capt. Comstock is to be here on Saturday, I expect to engage an Engine and it will not do for me to be absentNow my dear as you are Manager of the Howell Works I think it will be more to my interest and I am sure more satisfactory to me if you will jump on your horse and ride to Brookside and Jones Farm and see what they are at than be sewing all the time and at the same time I think it will improve your health if any person should want to look at my Books I trust that you will refuse and tell them you cant give them any information about accounts.. Captain Joseph Comstock was an early naval engineer involved with steam engines. The letter has light staining, a small seal tear and mailing folds.5) ALS. 1pg. 8 x 12 . July 30, 1849. An autograph letter signed James P. Allaire: I got to the Bank comfortably and in good time we are all well here and Jack looks as well as ever she is much better since she was sick a short time agoI cant say how my business progresses this day I shall attend to those who are to befriend me and will be able to report to you on Wednesday how matters and things are, if not in person I will write, as the stage is to come down to the Bank on Wednesdays and SaturdaysIf I see Capt. [Cornelius] Vanderbilt I shall invite his Daughter come to Howell with me. I hope if she does come some good will result from her visit. (Inventory #: 5020)