Collection IDMC 548

Size2 volumes

Collection Description Alexander Grant (1798-1864), a native of Scotland, emigrated to Canada with his wife and young children in 1832. Soon thereafter his first wife, Elspet Grant died. The following year Grant married Helen Constable of New York City and the family moved to Newark. According to family lore, Grant established a "linen store" in Newark; it was later maintained as a floruishing dry goods business by his son, Alexander Grant, Jr. (1826-1891). Alexander Grant, Jr. was among the first directors of the Essex County Bank, founded in 1858. In 1867 and 1868 he was a member of the Newark Common Council representing the 1st Ward.

Collection Contents The collection consists of 2 volumes relating to the Alexander Grant, Jr.'s establishment, an "Account of Stock" or inventory (January 31, 1884) and a ledger (1885).

The inventory includes lists of bolts of fabric ("cold alpaca," cashmere, striped poplin, "nuns' veiling," cottons, linen, oilcloth, denim, silk, corduroys, etc.) and items for men, women, and children: cologne, toothbrushes and hair brushes, suspenders, hat pins, socks and hose, shirts, drawers, "misses merino pants," children's union suits, buttons, jackets, cardigans, thread, needles, corset laces, jackets, blankets, etc.

The ledger includes individual accounts, indexed alphabetically (1885). Individuals and organizations represented in the ledger include members of the Baldwin, Crane, Dodd, Fewsmith, and Ward families, among others; and the Home for Aged Women, Helping Hand Mission, and the Sewing Society of the North Reformed Church.

FormatTextual materials

SubjectBusiness / Commerce

Time Period19th Century

LanguageEnglish

Access policyOpen for research

ProcessedYes