Hiram C. Holmes Collection

Manuscripts Collection 175

Overview of the Collection
Repository: G. W. Blunt White Library, Mystic Seaport
Creator: Holmes, Hiram C. ( b. 1826)
Title: Hiram C. Holmes Collection
Dates: 1850-1882
Extent: 5000 pieces
Abstract: The Hiram C. Holmes is housed in ten document boxes. The first five boxes contain general business bills, accounts, receipts, and other documents, chronologically arranged by month and year. Boxes 6-8 contain all the correspondence, mostly incoming, found in the collection. Arranged chronologically by day, month, and year, it has also been further organized into letters from the three companies Holmes did most of his business; papers concerning efforts to patent an improvement in gear axle boxes for railroad cars; and a box of general business and family correspondence. Box nine has cancelled checks and bank books, filed chronologically, and drawn on the Mystic River Bank and the Mystic River National Bank. Box ten contains envelopes from the above mentioned correspondence, stamped and addressed to Hiram C. Holmes.
Identification: Coll. 175

Biography of Hiram C. Holmes

Hiram C. Holmes was born January 22, 1826, and was a ship master, merchant, and businessman in Mystic Bridge, Connecticut. He also served as a surveyor for the Stonington Customs District at Mystic and Noank, from 1861 to 1865. During the period covered in this collection, Holmes was master of the Sloop ACTIVE, 1848-1854, which he operated in the coasting trade between Mystic and New York. He later owned a feed store that burned down around 1865. Between 1860 and 1880, Holmes conducted an active business with Joseph Allen & Co., and Williams & Potter, both New York firms dealing in flour and wholesale groceries; and with Waldron & Church, wholesale grocers and commission merchants in Providence, Rhode Island. He was also the son of Jeremiah Holmes, a local hero in the defense of Stonington against the British, and the younger brother of Joseph Warrent Holmes, a well known Mystic ship master, who doubled Cape Horn 83 times during his 60 years at sea.

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Restrictions

Restrictions on Access

Available for use in the Manuscripts Division

Restrictions on Use

Various copying restriction apply. Guidelines are available from the Manuscripts Division.

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Index Terms

This collection is indexed under the following headings in the catalog of the G. W. Blunt White Library. Researchers desiring materials about related topics, persons or places should search the catalog using these headings.

Persons:

Holmes, Hannah Denison

Corporate Bodies (Including Vessels):

Active (Sloop : 1848-1854)
Joseph Allen & Co. (New York, N.Y.)
Mystic River Bank
Mystic River National Bank
Waldron & Church (Providence, R.I.)
Williams & Potter (New York, N.Y.)

Places:

Mystic (Conn.)–Commerce–New York (State)–New York
Mystic (Conn.)–Commerce–Rhode Island–Providence
New York (N.Y.)–Commerce–Connecticut–Mystic
Providence (R.I.)–Commerce–Connecticut–Mystic

Subjects:

Customs administration–Connecticut–Mystic
Customs administration–Connecticut–Noank
Customs administration–United States–Officials and employees
Feed industry–Connecticut–Mystic Bridge
Flour industry–Connecticut
Grocery trade–Connecticut Shipping–Connecticut–Mystic
Shipping–New York (State)–New York
Wholesale trade–Connecticut

Document Types:

Bills of lading
Certificates
Checks

Occupations:

Businessmen–Connecticut–Mystic Bridge
Merchants–Connecticut–Mystic Bridge
Shipmasters–Connecticut–Mystic Bridge

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Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

Coll. 175, Manuscripts Collection, G. W. Blunt White Library, Mystic Seaport Museum, Inc.

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Indexes

Index to Personal and Corporate Names
NOTE: The fraction(s) indicate the Box and Folder numbers where that particular reference can be found. For example, the researcher will find information about A. & W.H. Harris & Co. in Box 8, Folder 3 of the collection.
A. & W.H. Harris & Co. 8/3
Adams, H.G.A.O. 8/5
Allen, Ethan 8/4
Amos Sherman Bros. 7/1
Armstrong & Briggs 8/7
Avery, ? (Capt.) 8/1
Avery, Marianna 8/7
B. Webb & Son 8/1
Babcock, J.P. 8/7
Bank, James L. 8/7
Batterson, J.G. 8/4
Batty, William 8/7
Benedict, C.H. 8/2
Bill, F. 8/7
Bill, Gurdon 8/3, 8/4, 8/7
Bill, Nathan D. 8/7
Bird, Rufus Thomas (Capt.) 8/3
Bird, Thomas 8/5
Bluckman, C.P. 8/7
Brand, William 7/3, 7/4
Brine, William 8/2
Buckley, John K. 7/2
C.H. Watson & Co. 7/5
Chamberlin, J.M. 8/1
Chapman & Smith 8/2
Charter Oak Insurance Co. 8/7
Chase, B. 8/3
Chipman, C.P. 6/7
Clifton, C.D. 8/2, 8/3, 8/4, 8/7
Cogswell, D. 7/4
Colvin, H.F. 7/5
Comstock, M.M. 8/1
Cottrell, J.O. 8/1, 8/4
Crary, Thomas 8/4, 8/7
Cromwell, Edward 8/2, 8/3, 8/4, 8/5
Crooker, ? 8/2
Crossly, William E. 7/4
Crump, William C. 8/3
Daniels & Corwell 8/7
Davis, H. 7/4
Dean, Charles L. 8/7
Denison, ? (Capt.) 7/4
Denison, Beebe (Sr.) 8/1
Denison, John L. 8/7
Dixon, N.F. (Jr.) 6/5
Douglas, Artemas G. 7/5
Duer, Samuel 8/1
E.D. Randall & Co. 8/2
Eddy, R.H. 7/5
Eldredge, A.W. 8/1
Eldridge, C.W. 8/3
Eldridge, Thomas 7/3
Elwell, William T. 7/4
F.L. Woodward & Co. 7/5
Fish, ? (Capt.) 7/4
Fish, Silas 8/3, 8/4
Ford, ? 8/2
Fox, John O. 8/2, 8/3, 8/4
Freeman, Edwin P. 8/1
Freeman, Joseph M. 7/3
French, Albert 7/3
G.E. Lamphere & Co. 8/5
Gambrill, G.A. 8/1
Gates, George W. 7/4
Gates, Isaac 7/4
Geltmacher & Lacey 8/4
Gleason, S. 8/1, 8/2
Green, A. 8/7
Green, H.C. 6/7
Greenman, Silas (Jr.) 7/3
Hall, Erwin D. 8/3, 8/4
Hall, S.J. 8/3
Halstead Chamberlain & Co. 8/2
Halsted, G.C. 8/7
Hamilton, Ambrose 7/3
Harris, George 7/4
Hedge, E. 8/3, 8/4
Hempstead, William 8/2
Hollender, ? 8/2, 8/3
Holmes, Benjamin F. 7/4
Holmes, Edwin Warren 8/7
Holmes, Emily 8/7
Holmes, Frederick A. 7/5, 8/7
Holmes, Hannah Denison 8/7
Holmes, Henry A. 8/7
Holmes, Isaac 7/5
Holmes, Mary Denison 8/1
Holmes, N.A. 7/5
Holmes, W.E. 7/1
Holmes, William K. 6/2
Hubbard, William S. 8/3
Hunt, P. 7/1
Hyatt & Mount 8/3, 8/4, 8/5
Isaac D. Holmes & Son 8/7
J.D. Fish & Co. 8/3, 8/4
John G. Mott & Son 8/1
Joseph Allen & Co. 6/1, 6/2, 6/3, 6/4, 6/5
Keables, Thomas A. 7/5
King, ? 8/3
Knolb, Stephen 8/4
L. Roberts & Co. 8/1
L.E. Smith & Co. 8/4
Lamphere & Chipman 6/1
Lane, Philips & Lane 8/1, 8/2, 8/3, 8/4, 8/5
Lane, Son & Co. 8/5, 8/6
Larrabee, Adam 8/3
Larrabee, William 8/3
Lawrence Giles & Co. 7/4
Lawrence, W.S. 8/2
Ledyard Bill 8/4
Leibbles, John E. 7/3
Loper, ? (Capt.) 7/4
Luders, ? (Capt.) 7/3
M. Patten & Co. 8/1, 8/2, 8/3
M.S. Connroy & Co. 8/1
M.S. Pomeroy & Co. 8/2
Main, Clark B. 6/5, 7/1
Mallory, Charles 7/4
Mallory, George 7/4
Mangam, W.D. 8/2, 8/3, 8/4
Manwaring, Henry K. 7/3
Marshall, George T. 8/5
Massasoit Insurance Co. 8/3
Maxon & Fish 7/4
Meacham & Farnham 8/2, 8/4, 8/5, 8/6
Miner, F.S. 8/7
Miner, William 7/3
Montauk Fire Insurance 8/7
Moore, Calvin P. 8/4
Moore, Charles S. 8/7
Morgan, ? 6/7
Morgan, William 7/4
Muncey, A.S. 7/4
Murphy, John P. 6/5
Murray, ? 6/7
Mystic Pioneer 8/5
Mystic Valley English & Classical Institute 7/2
Nichols, ? 8/4
Nickerson, F. 6/6
North, R.H. 8/7
Noyes, T.W. 8/1
Palmer, C.C. 8/7
Palmer, Frank A. 7/3
Palmer, H.A. 7/3
Park, Webster 8/7
Peabody & Clifts 6/5
Peabody & Crafts 8/7
Pease, Walter A. 6/5
Pendleton, Moses 8/4, 8/5
Penfield, Lyon & Co. 8/4
Pentz Brothers 8/5
Perry, J.G. 8/7
Petty, David S. 8/2
Pierce, Lyman 8/4, 8/5
Pomroy, Abner 7/3
Potter, E.L. 8/5
Pray, John S. 7/3
Prentis, Edward 8/4
Providence Growers Association 6/7
Quigley, Bernard 8/4
Rathburn, Samuel O. 7/4
Ripley, George 8/7
Robbins, ? 8/4
Rockwell, Benjamin 8/4
Rockwell, Edward 8/4
Rodman & Russell 8/7
Sanford, H.E. 8/4, 8/5
Sawyer, Jeremiah N. (Capt.) 7/3
Sawyer, T.J. 8/7
Schiefflin Bros. & Co. 8/3
Shane, Charles T. 8/2, 8/4
Shepard & Harris 8/3
Simmons, A.H. 8/3, 8/4
Slocum, John H. 8/7
Smith & Caulkins 8/1, 8/2, 8/3, 8/4
Smith, Reginald 8/1
Stanton, D.W. 8/1, 8/2, 8/3, 8/4, 8/5
Starkweather, I.A. 8/1
Stiles, William P. 8/4
Stoddard, F. 7/3
Stoddard, William H. 7/4
Stonington Customs District 7/3, 7/4
Thurston & Ripley 8/4
Tomlinson, H.A. 6/7
Towne, C.H. 8/3
Treat, Atwater 8/1
Trumbull, H.N. 7/4
Union Party Town Committee 8/4
Union Town Ticket 8/3
Waldron & Church 6/6, 6/7
Webb, B. 8/3
West, Robert F. 7/3
Wheeler, Richard A. 8/4
Wheeler, W.E. (Jr.) 6/6
White, ? 8/3
White, George E. 8/1, 8/2, 8/3
Wickes, S.D. 8/3
Wilbur, John D. 8/2
Wilcox, Jeremiah 7/3
Willard, John 8/4
Williams & Church 7/2
Williams & Potter 7/1, 7/2
Williams, George 7/5
Williams, John E. 7/3, 7/4
Wilson, Thomas W. 7/3

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Index to Vessel Names
NOTE: The fraction(S) indicate the Box and Folder numbers where that particular reference can be found. For example, the researcher will find information about the schooner ALBERT in Box 7, Folder 4 of the collection.
ALBERT (Schooner) 7/4
ALBERT CRANDALL (Schooner) 7/4
APHRODITE 7/4
APOLLO (Sloop) 6/1, 6/2, 7/3, 7/4, 8/1, 8/3, 8/4, 8/5
ARIADNE (Steamer) 7/4
ATLANTA (Steamer) 7/4
AUGUSTA (Steamer) 7/4
BLACKSTONE (Steamer) 7/4
BRUCE (Schooner) 8/1
BURNSIDE (Sloop) 7/3
CALEB WRIGHT (Schooner) 8/4
CALIFORNIA 7/4
CAMEO (Schooner) 7/4
CAROLINE (Smack) 7/4
CAROLINE C. (Schooner) 7/3
CARRIE (Schooner) 7/3
CASSIA (Sloop) 7/4
CAVELLO (Bark) 7/3
CHRISTIANA (Schooner) 7/4
CLEOPATRA 7/4
CONNECTICUT (Schooner) 7/4
CONQUEROR (Ship) 8/7
CONSTITUTION (Steamer) 7/3
CREMORNE (Ship) 7/4
D. T. WILLETS (Schooner) 7/4
DELAWARE (Steamer) 7/3
DIADEM (Bark) 7/3
E. C. SCRANTON (Schooner) 8/3
E. D. FOGG (Schooner) 7/4
ELIZA S. ROTTER (Schooner) 7/4
ELIZABETH SEGOR (Schooner) 8/3
ELLA (Sidewheel steamer) 7/4
ELLEN JANE (Sloop) 8/1
EMILY (Sloop) 6/1, 8/1
EMMA G. (Sloop) 7/4
EUTERPE (Steamer) 7/4
FANNY 7/3
FAVORITA (Ship) 7/3
FLORA MAY (Sloop) 7/3, 7/4
FRANNY 7/4
GAZOO 7/3
GENERAL SEDGWICK (Steamer) 7/4
GEORGIANNA (Sloop) 7/4
GOVERNOR BUCKINGHAM 7/3
H. MIDDLETON (Schooner) 7/3
HARRIET (Brig) 7/3
HELEN C. G. (Sloop) 7/4
I. D. BILLARD (Steamer) 7/3
IDAHO 7/4
JASON (Scow) 7/4
JOSEPHINE (Yacht) 7/4
KATE (Sloop) 7/4
KINGFISHER (Steamer) 7/3
L. B. BLEEKER (Schooner) 7/4
LOYALIST 7/4
MAJESTIC (Ship) 8/7
MAREPPA (Sloop) 7/4, 8/1
MARGARET AND LUCY 7/4
MARY JANE (Sloop) 7/4
MARY SANFORD (Steamer) 7/3
METIS 6/6
MONTARES (Steamer) 7/3
MONTAUK 7/3, 7/4
MOTH (Sloop) 7/4
NARRAGANSETT 6/6, 7/1
NEPTUNE (Sloop) 7/4
NEVADA 7/4
NIGHTINGALE 7/3
OAKES AMES (Schooner) 7/3
OCEAN KING (Ship) 8/7
PALMER (Yacht) 7/4
PHOENIX (Schooner) 7/3
PRIMA DONNA (Ship) 7/4
RACHEL BEALS 8/4
RICHARD LAW (Schooner) 7/4
RIPPLE (Sloop) 7/4
RUSH (Brig) 7/4
SALLIE E. DAY (Yacht) 7/4
SCIOTA (Steamer) 7/4
SEA GULL (Steamer) 7/3
SEMINOLE (Steamer) 7/4
STEPHEN MORGAN (Schooner) 7/4
T. I. BECKETT (Schooner) 7/4
THREE BROTHERS (Ship) 8/7
TUTTLE SMITH (Sloop) 7/4
TWILIGHT (Ship) 8/7
ULYSSES (Sidewheel steamer) 7/4
UNION (Steamer) 7/3
VARUNA 7/3, 7/4
VICKSBURG 7/3
VICTOR 7/3
VICTORY 7/4
VOLTA (Schooner) 7/4
W. W. BRAINARD (Schooner) 7/4
W. W. COIT (Sidewheel steamer) 7/4
WEYBOSSET 7/3
WILD ROSE (Schooner) 7/4
WILLIAM O. IRISH (Schooner) 7/4

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Detailed Description of the Collection

The following section contains a detailed listing of the materials in the collection.

 

Hiram C. Holmes; bills, accounts, receipts, etc (many involving sloop ACTIVE); 1850-1852
Box Folder
1 1 Bills, accounts, receipts, etc.; 1850
2 Bills, accounts, receipts, etc.; 1851 Jan
3 Bills, accounts, receipts, etc.; 1851 Feb
4 Bills, accounts, receipts, etc.; 1851 Mar
5 Bills, accounts, receipts, etc.; 1851 Apr
6 Bills, accounts, receipts, etc.; 1851 May
7 Bills, accounts, receipts, etc.; 1851 Jun
8 Bills, accounts, receipts, etc.; 1851 Jul
9 Bills, accounts, receipts, etc.; 1851 Aug
10 Bills, accounts, receipts, etc.; 1851 Sep
11 Bills, accounts, receipts, etc.; 1851 Oct
12 Bills, accounts, receipts, etc.; 1851 Nov
13 Bills, accounts, receipts, etc.; 1851 Dec
14 Bills, accounts, receipts, etc.; 1852 Jan-Feb
15 Bills, accounts, receipts, etc.; 1852 Mar
16 Bills, accounts, receipts, etc.; 1852 Apr
17 Bills, accounts, receipts, etc.; 1852 May
18 Bills, accounts, receipts, etc.; 1852 Jun
19 Bills, accounts, receipts, etc.; 1852 Jul
20 Bills, accounts, receipts, etc.; 1852 Aug
21 Bills, accounts, receipts, etc.; 1852 Sep
22 Bills, accounts, receipts, etc.; 1852 Oct
23 Bills, accounts, receipts, etc.; 1852 Nov
24 Bills, accounts, receipts, etc.; 1852 Dec
Hiram C. Holmes; general business bills, receipts, etc.; 1853-1882 (and undated)
Box Folder
2 1 Bills, accounts, receipts, etc.; 1853
2 Bills, accounts, receipts, etc.; 1854
3 Bills, accounts, receipts, etc.; 1855
4 Bills, accounts, receipts, etc.; 1856
5 Bills, accounts, receipts, etc.; 1857
6 Bills, accounts, receipts, etc.; 1858
7 Bills, accounts, receipts, etc.; 1859-1860
8 Bills, accounts, receipts, etc.; 1861 Jan-Mar
9 Bills, accounts, receipts, etc.; 1861 Apr
10 Bills, accounts, receipts, etc.; 1861 May
11 Bills, accounts, receipts, etc.; 1861 Jun
12 Bills, accounts, receipts, etc.; 1861 Jul
13 Bills, accounts, receipts, etc.; 1861 Aug
14 Bills, accounts, receipts, etc.; 1861 Sep
15 Bills, accounts, receipts, etc.; 1861 Oct
16 Bills, accounts, receipts, etc.; 1861 Nov
17 Bills, accounts, receipts, etc.; 1861 Dec
Box Folder
3 1 Bills, accounts, receipts, etc.; 1862 Jan
2 Bills, accounts, receipts, etc.; 1862 Feb
3 Bills, accounts, receipts, etc.; 1862 Mar
4 Bills, accounts, receipts, etc.; 1862 Apr
5 Bills, accounts, receipts, etc.; 1862 May
6 Bills, accounts, receipts, etc.; 1862 Jun
7 Bills, accounts, receipts, etc.; 1862 Jul
8 Bills, accounts, receipts, etc.; 1862 Aug
9 Bills, accounts, receipts, etc.; 1862 Sep
10 Bills, accounts, receipts, etc.; 1862 Oct
11 Bills, accounts, receipts, etc.; 1862 Nov
12 Bills, accounts, receipts, etc.; 1862 Dec
13 Bills, accounts, receipts, etc.; 1863 Jan
14 Bills, accounts, receipts, etc.; 1863 Feb
15 Bills, accounts, receipts, etc.; 1863 Mar
16 Bills, accounts, receipts, etc.; 1863 Apr
17 Bills, accounts, receipts, etc.; 1863 May
18 Bills, accounts, receipts, etc.; 1863 Jun
19 Bills, accounts, receipts, etc.; 1863 Jul
20 Bills, accounts, receipts, etc.; 1863 Aug
21 Bills, accounts, receipts, etc.; 1863 Sep
22 Bills, accounts, receipts, etc.; 1863 Oct
23 Bills, accounts, receipts, etc.; 1863 Nov
24 Bills, accounts, receipts, etc.; 1863 Dec
Box Folder
4 1 Bills, accounts, receipts, etc.; 1864 Jan
2 Bills, accounts, receipts, etc.; 1864 Feb
3 Bills, accounts, receipts, etc.; 1864 Mar
4 Bills, accounts, receipts, etc.; 1864 Apr
5 Bills, accounts, receipts, etc.; 1864 May
6 Bills, accounts, receipts, etc.; 1864 Jun
7 Bills, accounts, receipts, etc.; 1864 Jul
8 Bills, accounts, receipts, etc.; 1864 Aug
9 Bills, accounts, receipts, etc.; 1864 Sep
10 Bills, accounts, receipts, etc.; 1864 Oct
11 Bills, accounts, receipts, etc.; 1864 Nov
12 Bills, accounts, receipts, etc.; 1864 Dec
13 Bills, accounts, receipts, etc.; 1865 Jan
14 Bills, accounts, receipts, etc.; 1865 Feb
15 Bills, accounts, receipts, etc.; 1865 Mar
16 Bills, accounts, receipts, etc.; 1865 Apr
17 Bills, accounts, receipts, etc.; 1865 May-Jun
18 Bills, accounts, receipts, etc.; 1865 Jul-Dec
Box Folder
5 1 Bills, accounts, receipts, etc.; 1866
2 Bills, accounts, receipts, etc.; 1867
3 Bills, accounts, receipts, etc.; 1868
4 Bills, accounts, receipts, etc.; 1873-1877
5 Bills, accounts, receipts, etc.; 1878-1882
6 Bills, accounts, receipts, etc.; undated
7 Seven miscellaneous notebooks regarding coasting trips between New York and Mystic;; ca. 1851-1853
8 Four miscellaneous notebooks regarding coasting trips between New York and Mystic; ca. 1851-1853
9 Three miscellaneous business memo booklets; ca. 1880-1882
10 Miscellaneous notebook (fragments); ca 1877
Hiram C. Holmes; correspondence from Joseph Allen & Co.; 1861-1878
Box Folder
6 1 Correspondence from Joseph Allen & Co., New York; 1861-1862
2 Correspondence from Joseph Allen & Co., New York; 1863-1865
3 Correspondence from Joseph Allen & Co., New York; 1876 Jan-Jun
4 Correspondence from Joseph Allen & Co., New York; 1876 Jul-Dec
5 Correspondence from Joseph Allen & Co., New York; 1878
Hiram C. Holmes; correspondence from Waldern & Church Co.; 1879-1882
Box Folder
6 6 Correspondence from Waldren & Church Co., Providence, Rhode Island; 1879-1880
7 Correspondence from Waldren & Church Co., Providence, Rhode Island; 1881-1882
Hiram C. Holmes; correspondence from William & Potter, Co.; 1879
Box Folder
7 1 Correspondence from William & Potter, Co., New York; 1879 Jan-May
2 Correspondence from William & Potter, Co., New York; 1879 Jun-Dec
Hiram C. Holmes; business correspondence; 1861-1880
Box Folder
7 3 Letters & documents from Stonington, Connecticut Customs District (H. C. Holmes, surveyor); 1861-1863
4 Letters and documents from Stonington, Connecticut Customs District (H. C. Holmes, surveyor); 1864-1865
5 Letters and documents regarding patents; 1875-1880
Hiram C. Holmes; general business and family correspondence; 1860-1881
Box Folder
8 1 General business and family correspondence; 1860-1861
2 General business and family correspondence; 1862
3 General business and family correspondence; 1863
4 General business and family correspondence; 1864
5 General business and family correspondence; 1865
6 General business and family correspondence; 1866-1867
7 General business and family correspondence; 1876-1881
8 General business and family correspondence; undated
9 Miscellaneous pamphlets, business cards, insurance booklets, and political information; ca. 1870
Hiram C. Holmes; cancelled checks and bankbooks; 1858-1882
Box Folder
9 1 Cancelled checks; 1858-1859
2 Cancelled checks; 1861
3 Cancelled checks; 1862
4 Cancelled checks; 1864
5 Cancelled checks; 1869
6 Cancelled checks; 1870
7 Cancelled checks; 1871-1872
8 Cancelled checks; 1873-1879
9 Cancelled checks; 1880-1882
10 Check book stubs; 1872-1874
11 Three bank books; 1866, 1878-1882
Envelopes addressed to Hiram C. Holmes; ca. 1860-1880
Box Folder
10 1 Envelopes; primarily stamped, and addressed to Hiram C. Holmes; ca 1860-1880

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