Elisha H. Holmes Papers

Manuscripts Collection 36

Overview of the Collection

Repository: G. W. Blunt White Library, Mystic Seaport
Creator: Holmes, Elisha H., d. 1857
Title: Elisha H. Holmes Papers
Dates: 1832-1848
Extent: 810 pieces
Abstract: Material relating to Holmes’ partnership with George Randall and John C. Haskell in the dredging firm of Randall, Haskell, and Holmes of New Bedford, Mass. Includes correspondence relating to partnership arrangements, the patent for operations, boat building, contracts, financial matters, daily operation of the dredging boats, patent difficulties, and outfitting. Also includes accounting records of the firm, including checks, bills, accounts, account books, ledgers, logbooks, daybooks, record books, and miscellaneous papers, relating to work production, workers’ pay, provisioning expenses, animal husbandry, charges to clients, and other incidental expenses. Topics include dredging the coastal and river area between New York City and Boston, especially between the Connecticut and Acushnet Rivers.
Identification: Coll. 36

Biography of Elisha H. Holmes

Elisha H. Holmes was a resident of Windham, Connecticut.

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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:

Haskell, John C., b. 1863
Randall, George, b. 1873

Organizations and Vessels:

Randall, Haskell, and Holmes (New Bedford, Mass.)

Places:

Acushnet River (Mass.)
Connecticut River

Subjects:

Dredging–Massachusetts–New Bedford
Dredging–Atlantic Coast (U.S.)
Animal culture
Boatbuilding–Massachusetts–New Bedford
Coastal engineering–Atlantic Coast (U.S.)
Dredges–Massachusetts–New Bedford Dredges–Patents
Dredging–Work production
Partnership–Massachusetts–New Bedford
River engineering–Atlantic Coast (U.S.)

Document Types:

Account books–Massachusetts–New Bedford
Accounts–Massachusetts–New Bedford
Checks–Massachusetts–New Bedford
Contracts Ledgers–Massachusetts–New Bedford
Logbooks

Occupations:

Businessmen–Connecticut–Windham
Businessmen–Massachusetts–New Bedford

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Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

Coll. 36, 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 Adams (Samuel R.) & Co. in Box 3, Folder 1 of the collection.
Adams (Samuel R.) & Co. 1/3
Adams, Samuel R 1/3
Allen, Henry 2/15, 2/17
Allen, Oliver 2/1, 2/14, 2/15, 3/2, 3/3, 3/4
Ames, Enoch D. 1/7
Ames, Marvin 1/9
Anderson, P. 2/17, 3/2
Babcock, Dyer A. 1/8, 2/14, 2/17
Backus, Norton & Co. 2/2, 2/10
Baker, Elijah P. 1/3, 1/5, 1/10
Barsto & Pope 2/16, 3/3
Basett, Abner 1/6, 2/17
Beckwith (N. & L. L) 1/7, 1/8
Beckwith, Charles 1/6, 1/7
Beekman, J. E. G. 1/15, 1/16
Beldin, James 1/12, 1/13, 2/2, 2/3, 2/4, 2/5, 2/6
Bentley, David N. 2/11, 2/13
Bill, Elijah A. 2/1, 2/4, 2/5, 2/13, 2/15
Billings (N. & W. W.) 1/7, 1/8
Bishop, G. W. 2/17, 3/5
Breed & Meech 2/11
Breed (Joseph) & Co. 2/14
Breed, Joseph 1/4, 2/10
Brown & Griswold 2/15
Brown & Wood 2/8, 2/9
Brown, Benjamin 1/2, 1/8
Brown, Enoch S. 1/3, 1/5, 1/8
Burr, W. W. 2/1
Burton, Rodney 2/16, 3/1
Butler, Hurlbut & Co. 1/12
Butts & Perkins 1/13
Cady, Platt 2/10, 2/12, 2/13
Carrol, John 1/7, 3/5
Champion, Williams S. 1/4, 1/5, 1/12, 2/9
Chapman, Nathan 1/8, 1/13
Chase, James 1/15, 3/5
Chew (C.) & Co. 1/8
Cogswell & Holmes 1/4
Cook & Edwards 1/7
Corwin (Nathan & Gilbert) 1/12
Corwin, Nathan 1/12
Cranston, Richmond 2/11, 2/12
Cutis, E. H. 1/2, 1/4
Darrow & Turner 3/5
Darrow, Sidney L. 1/7, 1/13
Davis & Knight 1/8
Davis, Marvin 1/10, 3/5
Denison (Selden S.) & Co. 1/4, 3/5
Denison, James P. 2/17, 3/1
Denison, Selden S. 1/1, 1/3, 1/4, 1/6, 1/8, 1/9, 1/10, 1/11
Dennis & Hobron 2/3
Dennis, John 1/8
Detmold, C. E. 2/4
Dickinson, George 2/15
Duce, William 1/7
Eagle Iron Works 2/10
Eaton, E. C. 2/1
Eaton, William P. 1/11, 2/1
Eells, Cushing 2/11, 2/15
Fairbanks, Clark, & Co. 2/10, 2/11, 2/12, 3/5
Field, Charles 1/15, 1/16
Foot (H.) & Co. 2/16
Gifford, Job 1/7, 1/9, 1/10, 2/17
Gilman & Huntington 3/14
Gilman, A. F. 1/4
Goodrich, J. W. 1/7, 1/15, 1/17
Hall & Ramsdell 1/12, 1/13
Harris & Steward 2/17
Harris (Isaac) & Co. 1/6
Haskell, Edward P. 2/1, 3/3
Haskell, John C. 1/1, 1/5, 1/7, 1/13, 1/14, 1/15, 2/1, 2/2, 2/3, 2/4, 2/5, 2/6, 2/7, 2/8, 2/9, 2/10, 2/13, 2/17, 3/1, 3/2, 3/3, 3/4
Hayden, Williams, & Co. 1/2, 2/14
Hebard, George 1/15, 2/11
Hempstead, Orlando H. 1/5, 1/7, 1/11
Hinkley, Russell 1/5, 1/7
Hobson, Thomas 1/7, 1/10
Holmes, Elisha H. 1/1, 1/2, 1/3, 1/4, 1/5, 1/6, 1/7, 1/8, 1/9, 1/10, 1/11, 1/12, 1/13, 1/14, 1/15, 1/16, 1/17, 2/1, 2/2, 2/3, 2/4, 2/5, 2/6, 2/7, 2/8, 2/9, 2/10, 2/11, 2/12, 2/13, 2/14, 2/15, 2/16, 2/17, 3/1, 3/2, 3/3, 3/4, 3/5, 3/7, 3/8, 3/9, 3/10, 3/11, 3/12, 3/14, 3/15, 3/18
Holmes, George B. 1/2, 1/10, 2/11
Holmes, Griswold 1/4, 1/11
Holt, F. W. 1/6, 1/8, 1/12
Howard, John 1/6, 1/7, 1/14
Huntington & Chappell 2/11, 2/15, 3/14
Huntington, John 1/3, 1/5
Ingersoll, T. J. 2/4
Inghan, Samuel 3/2
Kinny & Miner 1/4
Kirtland, Ezra 2/14, 2/15
Knight, David B. 1/3, 1/7, 1/8
Knight, John 1/7, 1/8
Lawrence, Joseph 1/4, 1/14, 2/15
Leavens & Huntington 2/15
Lentell, E. W. 1/6, 1/15
Lewis & Cayerhall 1/9, 1/13
Lewis, Thomas 1/3, 1/7, 1/12
Linous, Samuel 2/1
Macumber, Simeon 1/7, 1/11, 1/12
Marsh, Appolos 2/16
Merchants Bank of Norwich 1/4, 1/11, 3/11, 3/14
Middletown Marine Railway 2/15
Miler, George 1/8, 1/11
Moody, John W. 1/2, 1/11, 2/11, 2/13, 2/14
New Bedford Marine Railway & Wharf Co. 1/15, 2/1, 2/2, 2/4, 2/9
New York, Providence, & Boston RR Co. 2/4, 2/5
Norwich Central Wharf Co 2/3, 2/5
Peaconic Navigation Co 1/14
Perkins, George 3/2
Phelphs, Spafford, & Co 1/17, 2/16
Phenix Iron Foundry 1/5
Potter (Thomas) & Co. 1/8
Potter, Thomas 1/6
Randall, George 1/1, 1/2, 1/3, 1/4, 1/6, 1/9, 1/10, 1/11, 1/12, 1/13, 1/15, 2/1, 2/6, 2/7, 2/8, 2/9, 2/10, 2/13, 2/14, 2/15, 2/17, 3/1, 3/2, 3/5
Randall, Haskell, & Holmes 1/1, 1/2, 1/3, 1/4, 1/5, 1/6, 1/7, 1/8, 1/9, 1/10, 1/11, 1/12, 1/13, 1/14, 1/15, 1/16, 1/17, 2/2, 2/3, 2/4, 2/5, 2/6, 2/7, 2/8, 2/9, 2/10, 2/11, 2/12, 2/13, 2/14, 2/15, 2/16, 2/17, 3/1, 3/2, 3/3, 3/4, 3/5, 3/7, 3/8, 3/9, 3/10, 3/11, 3/12, 3/13, 3/14, 3/15, 3/16, 3/17, 3/19
Redfield & Pratt 1/1
Rees, Charles W. 1/15
Rogers, Potter, & Co. 1/12
Russell & Beach 1/3
Simond, Samuel 2/1
Smith & Cady 1/3, 1/4, 1/5, 1/6, 1/7, 1/8, 3/5
Smith & Ellis 1/5
Smith & Manwarring 1/13
Smith, Anson 1/11, 1/12
Stannard (H. M.) & Co. 2/11
Stanton & Breed 2/10, 3/14
Stanton, John W. 2/2, 2/5
Starr, Franklin 1/7, 1/8
States, Benjamin F. 2/7, 2/12, 2/13
Steam Engine Co. 2/1
Sterling, Elizabeth 1/16
Steward, Charles 1/9, 1/11, 3/12
Strickland, C. W. 1/10, 1/11, 1/14, 1/15, 2/2, 3/3, 3/10
Strong, Henry 1/2
Sturre, Franklin 1/7, 1/8
Swails, William 1/16, 1/17, 3/5
Swift, J. G. 1/13
Treadwell, D. B. 1/3, 1/4, 1/5
Troudy, Smith 2/1
Tweedy & Barrow 2/12
Tyler & Devotion 2/11, 2/12
Tyler (S.) & Son 1/11
Wade, John 2/17, 3/1
Warner & Williams 1/14, 1/17
Weaver & Rogers 2/15
Webb, Julius 2/13, 2/15
Western RR Corp. 2/14, 2/15
Whaley, Harris 2/4, 2/5
Whistler, George W. 2/14, 2/15, 2/16
Whittimore, A. F. 1/2, 2/6, 2/16
Whittimore, Daniel 1/5, 1/7, 1/10
Williams & Barnes 1/1, 1/5, 1/7, 1/8, 1/11, 2/4, 3/5, /12, /14
Williams (F.) & Co. 1/11
Williams, Hayden 1/2
Williams, Richard P. 3/5
Williams, Thomas W. 1/6, 1/7
Wilson, Increase 1/3, 1/10, 2/2, 2/9
Young, Joseph 1/12, 1/15, 1/16, 1/17, 2/2, 2/3, 2/4, 2/5, 2/6, 2/15, 2/16, 2/17, 3/15, 3/17

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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 ADMIRAL (Sloop) in Box 1, Folder 3 of the collection.
ADMIRAL (Sloop) 1/3
AURORA (Sloop) 2/4
BINGHAM (Ship) 3/9
BRUNETTE (Sloop) 2/10
DE WHITT CLINTON (Sloop) 3/15
FRCINOS (Ship) 3/9
GEORGE WASHINGTON (Sloop) 2/10

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Detailed Description of the Collection

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

Papers 1832-1848
Box Folder
1 1 Papers, re. building a dredging boat, with broad specifications, modifications, and operations, including bills and receipts; 1832-1833
2 Papers, re. building second dredging boat with improvements, including bills and receipts, and a letter concerning possible patent impingement; 1834 Jan – Feb
3 Accounts, re. operations, equipage, and charges for dredging boats 1 through 3, with letters concerning depressed economic conditions; 1834 Mar – Apr
4 Accounts, re. outfitting, provisioning, and dredging charges, including a letter concerning dredging contracts 1834 May
5 Accounts, re. outfitting, provisioning, and dredging charges, including a letter relating to construction costs of an additional boat; 1834 Jun – Jul
6 Accounts, re. repairs, provisioning, work receipts, and dredging charges, including a letter concerning a contract for channel dredging; 1834 Aug
7 Accounts, re. maintenance, operations, and dredging charges; 1834 Sep – Oct
8 Accounts, re. dredging boat maintenance and operations; 1834 Nov – Dec
9 Papers, re. work receipts, provisioning, and dredging charges, including letters pertaining to contracts; 1835 Jan – Feb
10 Accounts, re. maintenance and charges for dredging, including letters relative to anticipated contracts; 1835 Mar – Apr
11 Accounts, re. dredging boat maintenance and operations, including letters concerning contracts; 1835 May – Jun
12 Papers, re. expenses and charges for dredging, including letters pertaining to dredging difficulties, and probable contracts; 1835 Jul – Aug
13 Papers, re. expenses and charges for dredging, including letters and contract with the U. S. Government. 1835 Sep – Oct
14 Papers, re. dredging accounts, including letters concerning contracts and payments, and a coy of a New York State Senate Act; 1835 Nov – Dec
15 Papers, re. dredging boat accounts, including letters pertaining to refurbishing the machinery, boats, and scows; 1836 Jan – Jun
16 Papers, re. dredging boat accounts, including letters pertaining to boat no. 6; 1836 Jul- Aug
17 Papers, re. dredging boat accounts, including letters pertaining to boat no. 6; 1836 Sep – Dec
Box Folder
2 1 Papers, re. dredging boat accounts and balance sheets, including copy of a contract, and a letter pertaining to an additional contract; 1837 Jan – Mar
2 Papers, re. dredging boat accounts, including a work contract with the master of boat n o. 6, and letters pertaining to additional contracts; 1837 Apr
3 Papers, re. dredging boat accounts, including letters pertaining to dredging and general business information; 1837 May – Jun
4 Papers, re. dredging boat accounts, including copy of a contract, and letters pertaining to dredging progress; 1837 Jul – Aug
5 Papers, re. dredging boat accounts, including letters pertaining to site conditions in preparation for settlement of the seasons work; 1837 Sep – Dec
6 Letters, re. completion and balance of accounts for previous seasons work, and preparation for that forthcoming, including one contract; 1838 Jan – Mar
7 Papers, re. dredging boat accounts, including letters concerning contracts and sales of dredging boats; 1838 Apr – May
8 Papers, re. dredging boat accounts, including letters pertaining to dredging progress, and proposals for employment of additional boats; 1838 Jun – Sep
9 Papers, re. dredging boat accounts, including letters proposing installation of a steam engine for the power source; 1838 Oct – Dec
10 Papers, re. dredging boat accounts, including a contract and letters pertaining to a steam engine; 1839 Jan – Apr
11 Papers, re. dredging boat accounts, including the contractor notification of the steam engine completion; 1839 May – Jun
12 Papers, re. dredging boat accounts, including an adjusted account with the steam engine contractor; 1929 Jul – Nov
13 Papers, re. dredging boat accounts, including letters pertaining to contracts and working conditions; 1840 Jan – Mar
14 Papers, re. dredging boat accounts, including letters concerning site progress, requests for dredging and animal husbandry; 1840 Apr
15 Papers, re. dredging boat accounts, including letters concerning patent litigation, a damaged dredge boat, and western lands; 1840 May
16 Papers, re. dredging boat accounts, including letters pertaining to dredging operations; 1840 Jun – Jul
17 Papers, re. dredging boat accounts, including letters pertaining to dredging operations; 1840 Aug – Dec
Box Folder
3 1 Papers, re. dredging boat accounts, including letters pertaining to patent rights, annual settlement for partnership, and forthcoming season; 1841 Jan – Apr
2 Papers, re. dredging boat accounts, including letters concerning contracts, dredging work progress, and finance; 1841 Jun – Dec
3 Papers, re. dredging boat accounts, including letters pertaining to patent litigation, horses, and finances; 1842
4 Letters, re. finance, checks, and agreements within the partnership; 1843-1844
5 Papers, re. dredging boat accounts, including copy of a prospective contract; undated
6 Prose, by Lydia Holmes, and poem, undated, by Sally Bloss, including other unidentified and undated material; 1853-1854
7 Ledger of E. H. Holmes, re. Mud Boat, probably no. 1, 75 pp. 1830 Jun 28 – 1831 Oct 24
8 Day Book, re. dredging boat operations, 11 pp. 1833 Oct 14 – 1835 May 29
9 Record book, re. boarding and provisioning expenses of apparently dredging boats no. 1 and 3; 1834 Jan 14, rest presumably 1834 Mar 8 – Jun 14
10 Day Book of C. W. Strickland, re. dredging boats no. 1 and 3; 1834 May 2 – 1835 Feb 7
11 Account Book, re. Mud Machine no. 4, with profit divisions; 1835 Apr – 1836 Jan
12 Account Book, re. dredging boat no. 3; 1837 Mar 14 – Nov 11
13 Record Book, re. work progress of dredging boats no. 1-4, including an account, undated, for dredging boat no. 4, wrapped in a partial page of the Columbian Register, New Haven, Connecticut, Tuesday, May 16, 1837; 1838 Sep 14 – Nov 24
14 Account Book of Elisha E. Holmes, re. notes given, other accounts, and trip record; 1839-1840
15 Account Book of Joseph Young, re. dredging boat no. 3; 1839 May 9 – Nov 22
16 Log Book, re. Mud Machine no. 1, at Stonington, Connecticut, recording wind, weather, work completed, work stoppages, and a line drawing of machinery; 1839 May 4 – Sep 11
17 Account Book of Joseph Young, re. probably dredging boat no. 3, including day lost records; 1840 May 2 – Nov 30
18 Account Book, of Elisha H. Holmes, re. household items; 1848 Apr 8 – Aug 29
19 Record Book re, scow loading by apparently dredging boat no. 4; no year given, May 15- Dec 4

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