1839-1850 - Archive of correspondence related to the Ames Manufacturing Company, one of the first sword-makers in the United States and the premier provider of edged weapons to the federal government

Envelope or Cover. Very good. This archive contains 16 stampless, folded letters, written between 1838 and 1840 and ranging in length from one to three pages. A mix of business and personal correspondence, most were sent to James T. Ames, at the family's Massachusetts firm in Cabotville, Massachusetts (now a historic district within Chicopee. Although most were sent from New York, this lot also includes letters from Connecticut, Georgia, Ohio, and London and bear a variety of stamped and manuscript rates and postmarks. In nice shape.

The Ames Manufacturing Company produced swords, tools, and cutlery in Cabotville (now Chicopee), Massachusetts. It was a significant provider of side arms, swords, light artillery, and heavy ordnance for the Union in the American Civil War. The company was also an iron and bronze factory and cast several statues, which can be found throughout New England. Their most well-known castings are of the east doors to the United States Capitol, and the Minuteman, which stands at the Lexington-Concord Bridge. It was founded in 1774 at Chelmsford, Massachusetts by Nathan P. and James T. Ames in 1774 and relocated to what would become Chicopee in 1829.

Tip of the iceberg content includes:

8 Sep 1838, Albany, New York - To Mrs. J . T. Ames (Fanny) from her sister-in-law Nancy. Written on the way to Vermont after a stay in Cabotville: "For to use James word[s] when we left there we were about used up. . .. N. P. (James's older brother and the founder of the company) and I did not fare as well as J. G. did. . .. We had a delightful time all the way to N. York and thus far. Neither of us has been sick while on board the boat. . .. We behaved when at that 'Wicked Place" and I did not get introduced to any of the bad folks. . .. We had a most delightful sale up the N. River yesterday. [North River was an older name for the lower Hudson River.] We are now at the Temperance House. . .."

In 1838, a journey from Western Massachusetts to Vermont was an arduous, multi-day, multi-modal trek. Using a combination of stagecoaches, steamboats, and canal boats to cross the mountains and navigate the waterways. The Albany "Temperance House" was a prominent hotel and inn that operated on total abstinence principles, making it a popular choice among traveling couples and families.

12 Jun 1839, Union Township, Ohio - To James T Ames from his cousin, Jacob Clark: "At Albany I was seized with the phthisic [perhaps tuberculosis] with which I was troubled more or less the remainder of my way to Eire Pa [which] destroyed the interest & pleasantness of the journey. We made an excursion to Niagara with which I was highly pleased. . .. At Erie [on] Aug. 1st I stopped . . . on account of ill health [and]I did not proceed until Oct [and on the] 4th arrived at Oberlin. . . in hopes of securing a permanent school but as schools for the winter were suspended . . . continued on to Chillicothe. The Ohio river was very low so as not to be navigable [so I continued by stage [which] was very expensive. . .. I am [now] situated about 4 ½ mile from Chillicothe [and] have 25-30 scholars in a log school house. . .. Western villages are not like N. E. . .. The people are much more civil, intelligent & moral. . .. The children are also easily managed & well disposed. . .."

Phthisis was a term for any medical condition that caused a part of the body to waste away; or used to describe a progressive loss of an eye, tuberculosis, or kidney disease.

8 Aug 1840, New York City - To N. P. Ames from Peter Harmony: A letter regarding the advancement of a salary

8 Dec 1840, London - To James T. Ames from John W Cochman: "Business is going on perfectly to my mind. Your Broth N. is in Paris. . .."

8 Dec 1845, New York City - To James T. Amers from G. C. Ewing: "You intimate in your letter that it would be agreeable to you if we could do some business for you in South America. It would afford us such pleasure to be the medium of any business intercourse that would be profitable to you, in Brazil, or elsewhere. Can we not do some business for you here? We intend to keep an assortment of hardware, or sell on commission for a few such sources as yours, but our main business will be selling the manufactures of E and T. Fairbanks &c. The reputation, influence and extensive acquaintances which you have secured enables you to do us much good by introducing us on proper occasions to your friends and recommending to them our scales. . .."

3 Jun 1846, New York City - To James T. Ames from Abel Whitney: An offer to serve as a purchasing agent to cut down on Ames's business trips to New York

17 Dec 1846, New York City - To James T. Ames from Robert B. Maw (?): "By Steam Boat 'New York' yesterday we forwarded one Box Marked "Marble with case. Kep dry. This side up. Jas T Ames Cabotville Mass' containing the shelf for your Mantel piece. With much regret for the delay and inconvenience this apparent neglect must have caused. . .."

28 Apr 1847, Augusta, Georgia - To James T. Ames from John Chase, the company superintendent: "I have just heard the distressing news of the death of your dear Brother, in a letter . . . a few days hence. . .. His rapid decline . . . it could not be expected. . .. I noticed the last time I saw him that he was failing very fast, but did not then think that he was so near his end. . .. The Augusta Manf. Co. are now laying the foundations of the mill, and have about closed all contracts for building the same and at fair prices [so] I shall start for the North. . .."

After Nathan Ames died, James became the sole owner of the company. The Augusta Cotton Mill, which when it was finished was the second largest in the country, was built in conjunction with the city's canal. Chase probably was involved in canal construction as he built the canal associated with the Ames Company.

29 May 1847, New York City - To James T. Ames from Geo. C. Ewing: Letter informing Ames of more sickness and death in the Ewing family

6 Sep 1847, New York City - To James T. Ames from Doc & E Pairuly (?): Letter arranging a meeting New York City

8 Jul 1848, Newton, Connecticut - To James T. Ames and his wife from their sister-in-law, Fanny: "One of Jame's aged aunts from Bridgeport is here. . .. She is so deaf [that she] cannot hear a word [so] we are obliged to write upon a slate. . .. I have never met a more interesting & intelligent lady. . .. She is very happy not withstanding her infirmity. . .. How did you spend the 4th in your new town probably celebrated. Every thing here was as quiet as the Sabbath the exception of the ringing of the bells in the morning & the boys firing crackers in the street. Most of the people went to Bridgeport where they celebrate, or at least the temperate part as it was a Temperance celebration. [I've heard] that Samuel Pierce committed suicide at his grandfathers in Enfield. Is it really so. . .? It might have been a false report. . .."

The Ames family and its company did not really change towns. Cabotville was renamed Chicopee.

6 Dec 1848, New Haven, Connecticut - To J. T. Ames from Jason Atwater, a brother-in-law: "I write to say that I have processed $150 to meet the . . . assessment on the Hadley stock which I shall deposit in some bank in the City. . .. I am glad to learn that this late disaster [the Hadley Dam collapse] has not proved so Expensive to the Co. as was first reported. . .. The Connecticut is a mighty power. Stay him to a certain extent you may, but attempt too much, you will fail. . ..

The Hadley Falls Company built a massive, 1,000-foot dam to divert water for industrial mills. It failed catastrophically on November 16, 1848, just hours after the gates closed and the reservoir began to fill. A massive flood surged into the village, destroying or severely damaging nearly every building in its path. Apparently, whatever property the Ames Company held in the area was not badly affected.

17 Dec 1848 - Newton, Connecticut - To Jas. T. Ames from Elisa and J. Atwater: "Yours of the 10th . . . gave us considerable anxiety concerning your family . . . lung fever [pneumonia] & whooping cough. . .. Ellen M. also with this cough returned. . ..

22 Oct 1849 - Norwich, Connecticut - To James T. Ames: Business letter discussing investments

17 Jan 1850 - Newtown, Connecticut - To J. T. Ames from Ellen: Letter expressing friendship and religious thoughts

Undated - Sharon Springs, New York - To J. T. Ames from his sister Mary: An invitation to visit.

. A treasure trove of original source material documenting the life of an 1840s manufacturing family.

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