Guide to the Davenport Family Papers,
1800-1941

Collection Number: 1173

Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections
Cornell University Library

Contact Information:
Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections
2B Carl A. Kroch Library
Cornell University
Ithaca, NY 14853
(607) 255-3530
Fax: (607) 255-9524
rareref@cornell.edu
http://rmc.library.cornell.edu
Compiled by:
K. Jacklin
B. Shephard
Date completed:
March 1961
March 1966
EAD encoding:
Ann Hubert, March 2004

© 2002 Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections, Cornell University Library

DESCRIPTIVE SUMMARY

Title:
Davenport family papers, 1800-1941.
Collection Number:
1173
Quantity:
41.2 cubic ft; 29 v.; 2 reels movie film; 3 oversize folders.
Forms of Material:
Correspondence, accounts, deeds, mortgages, tax statements, wills, bonds, stock certificates, bills, receipts, business and legal papers, maps, photographs, and movie films.
Repository:
Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections, Cornell University Library
Abstract:
The collection pertains chiefly to investments in lands in New York State, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, and Nebraska, to interests in mining, railway, mercantile, banking, and other business ventures, and to the settlement of family estates.
Language:
Collection material in English

COLLECTION DESCRIPTION

Correspondence, accounts, deeds, mortgages, tax statements, wills, bonds, stock certificates, bills, receipts, business and legal papers, maps, photographs, and movie films of the Davenport family of Angelica, Allegany County, New York and Bath, Steuben County, and of related Cameron, Waterman, French, and other families. Featured most prominently are Charles and Ira Davenport, and their agent, J. W. Waterman. The collection pertains chiefly to investments in lands in New York State, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, and Nebraska, to interests in mining, railway, mercantile, banking, and other business ventures, and to the settlement of family estates. Includes papers of the Davenport Home for Girls (also known as the Davenport Home for Female Orphan Children), Bath, New York, and the Bath Presbyterian Church.
Topics include western and frontier land speculation and investment, family relations, the problems of amassing capital and absentee ownership, banking, land taxation, forestry, and other matters pertaining to land ownership and management.
SUBJECTS

Names:
Davenport family.
Cameron family.
Davenport, Charles.
Davenport, Ira.
French family.
Waterman family.
Waterman, J. W.
Bath Presbyterian Church (Bath, N.Y.)
Davenport Home for Female Orphan Children (Bath, N.Y.)
Davenport Home for Girls (Bath, N.Y.)

Subjects:
Real property--New York (State)
Real property--Illinois.
Real property--Iowa.
Real property--Kansas.
Real property--Michigan.
Real property--Minnesota.
Real property--Nebraska.
Real estate investment--New York (State)
Real estate investment--Illinois.
Real estate investment--Iowa.
Real estate investment--Kansas.
Real estate investment--Michigan.
Real estate investment--Minnesota.
Real estate investment--Nebraska.
Business enterprises--New York (State)--Steuben County.
Business enterprises--New York (State)--Allegany County.
Commerce--New York (State)--Steuben County.
Commerce--New York (State)--Allegany County.
Banks and banking--New York (State)
Mines and mineral resources.
Mineral industries.
Railroads--New York (State)
Family--New York (State)--Steuben County.
Family--New York (State)--Allegany County.
Orphanages--New York (State)--Bath.
Administration of estates--New York (State)--Steuben County.
Administration of estates--New York (State)--Allegany County.
Forests and forestry--New York (State)--Bath.

Places:
Bath (N.Y.)--Economic conditions.
Angelica (N.Y.)--Economic conditions.
Bath (N.Y.)--Religious life and customs.

Form and Genre Terms:
Account books.
Deeds.
Mortgages.
Maps.
Photographs.
Motion pictures.
INFORMATION FOR USERS

Cite As:
Davenport family papers, #1173. Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections, Cornell University Library.
RELATED MATERIALS

Consists of collections #539, #581, #1173, #1825, #1903.
CONTAINER LIST

Description
Container
1841-Dec. 1872
Box 1
Jan. 1873-Feb. 1877
Box 2
Also, statement of Ira Davenport in account with church trustees, June 1903, and typed copy of clause #5 in John Davenport's will re money given for upkeep of the church
Other items included with these papers are patterns for the tile flooring (6 items) advertisments for stoves and furnaces (2 items), and one undated and unsigned pen and ink sketch of church steeple done on ordinary paper
Mar. 1877-Jan. 1882
Box 3
Jan. 1882-Jan. 1887
Box 4
Feb. 1887-Dec. 1888
Box 5
Jan. 1889-Oct. 1891
Box 6
Nov. 1891-May 7, 1895
Box 7
May 8, 1895-May 1, 1897
Box 8
June 1897-Dec. 1898
Box 9
Jan. 1899-July 1901
Box 10
Aug. 1901-Sept. 1903
Box 11
Oct. 1903-Aug. 1927
Box 12
Bath Presbyterian Church Material
 Box 13
Receipts (27 items) issued to the Presbyterian Church of Bath by Mould, New York City architect, June 15, 1874-Feb. 1875, showing payments made to him in payment for professional services by John and Ira Davenport on behalf of the church. One statement of account, June 15, 1874-Oct. 29, 1874. Series of letters from the offices of the architect in chief of the "Compania de Obras Publicas y Fomento del Peru," Lima to John Davenport, Oct. 20, 1875; Jan. 20, 1876; Apr. 20, 1876; May 19, 1876; July 21, 1876; and Sept. 20, 1876, concerning Mould's plans for the interior of the Bath church, the delivery of paper tracings of designs for stained glass, door hinges, chancel screen, pulpit, cornices, and other details, and financial arrangements being made. Fair copy of one letter from John Davenport to Mould , May 27, 1876, re plans for interior. Receipt, May 8, 1876. Six architectural drawings submitted to church trustees by Mould, 1874-1875. Printed professional advertisment of Mould, 1869
The following drawings have been removed from the folder entitled "Architect's Drawings and Plans, 14 pieces," and placed in oversize map cases (in K map case K-9). They have been filed flat in bond paper between cardboard and marked #1173+
#56 - Details of Pewing (Carpenter's contract), no date
#99 - Details of stained glass for windows, in colour, Dec. 3, 1875
#100 - North and South Elevations showing placement of stained glass, Dec. 4, 1875
Details of windows (Stonework), Dec. 13, 1875; Stonecutter's details of door and window arches, June 17, 1874; Front elevation showing Tower and Wing as proposed to be built, no date
Envelopes from collection
 Box 14
Davenport Family Account Books, 1846-1931; 21 Volumes
 Box 15-17
  • 1854-1903
  • 1904-1905
  • 1881-1891
  • 1874-1884
  • 1877-1904
  • 1874-1906
  • 1883-1909
  • 1870-1906
  • 1899-1905
  • 1870-1931
  • 1881-1890
  • 1868-1903
  • 1865-1900
  • 1846-1904
  • 1869-1905
  • 1867-1893
  • no date
  • 1899-1931
  • 1885-1899
  • 1891-1931
  • 1868-1893