Pierrepont family papers
Call Number
Date
Creator
Extent
Language of Materials
Abstract
The Pierrepont family papers (1761-1918) document the intersection of commercial, civic and personal interests across three generations of one of the most prominent and influential families of nineteenth century Brooklyn, New York. The bulk of the collection concerns the business dealings of Henry Evelyn Pierrepont from 1838 to his death in 1888. This especially includes an extensive set of accounting and transactional records concerning the Pierrepont Stores, the family's warehouse on Brooklyn's East River waterfront; these include records of ships arriving at the Stores and their cargoes delivered. Additionally, there are substantive correspondence, legal documents and other materials concerning the Union Ferry Company, of which Henry was an officer. In addition to commerce and shipping, a major theme of the collection is that of land acquisition in Brooklyn Heights and at the adjacent waterfront in the early nineteenth century, and the development of that property over the course of the century. Included in the collection are correspondence, deeds, indentures, leases, accounting records, diaries, maps, invoices, receipts, business proposals, legal filings, clippings, and historical and genealogical manuscripts.
Biographical note
Timeline
Hezekiah Beers Pierpont:
Hezekiah Beers Pierpont amassed a fortune through the operation of a farm and gin distillery, and through real estate investments in the Village and City of Brooklyn during the first three decades of the nineteenth century. Born in New Haven, Connecticut on November 3, 1768, Hezekiah settled in New York City in 1790 where he worked as a clerk in the Customs House. By 1793, Hezekiah had set out on his own ventures, forming the mercantile partnership Lefingwell and Pierpont. The partnership dissolved in 1800 and Hezekiah moved to Brooklyn in 1801 after purchasing the brewery of Philip Livingston and converting it to a distillery for what became Anchor Gin. The following year he married Anna Maria Constable, daughter of Anna White and William Constable of Philadelphia. The couple came to have twelve children together, including Henry Evelyn Pierrepont.
During this period, Pierpont became known for his support of the development of the Village of Brooklyn. He began to invest in local real estate in 1802, focusing his investments around present-day Brooklyn Heights, directly across the East River from lower Manhattan. Pierpont supported the Fulton Ferry, which began the first steam ferry service between Brooklyn and Manhattan in 1814, making Brooklyn even more accessible to New York City. At this same time, Pierpont acquired additional wealth through the inheritance and purchase of more than 150,000 acres of land in upstate New York from the estate of his father-in-law.
Hezekiah retired from active business in 1819 and closed the distillery, which was sold in 1824. He committed much of his time to the improvement of both residential and business sections of Brooklyn Heights, proposing such developments as a promenade to be situated along the bluffs overlooking the East River and New York Harbor. Hezekiah Beers Pierpont died in Brooklyn on August 11, 1838.
(Note on the Pierpont name: For a period of time the original spelling of the family name, Pierrepont, was superseded by the anglicized spelling Pierpont. Hezekiah Beers Pierpont requested that his wife and children be known by the original spelling of Pierrepont around 1802, but did not himself adopt this spelling for business reasons.)
Henry Evelyn Pierrepont:
The second son of Hezekiah Beers and Anna Maria Constable Pierrepont, Henry Evelyn was born in Brooklyn on August 8, 1808. Henry Evelyn was educated in New York City and quickly acquired his father's prominence among Brooklyn's elite. Upon the death of H.B. Pierpont, William Constable, the eldest Pierrepont son, took over the family's upstate properties while Henry Evelyn remained in Brooklyn, maintaining the family's influence on, and commitment to, the city's development. On December 1, 1841, Henry Evelyn married Anna Maria Jay, daughter of Peter Augustus Jay and Mary Rutherford Clarkson, and granddaughter of John Jay, governor of New York (1795-1801) and the first Chief Justice of the United States. Together the couple had six children, including Henry Evelyn Pierrepont II and John Jay Pierrepont.
Henry Evelyn Pierrepont spent much of his life working to establish Brooklyn as a flourishing metropolis. In 1844 a Brooklyn ferry lease was granted to Henry Evelyn Pierrepont and Jacob R. Leroy, who combined the five existing Brooklyn ferries into the Brooklyn Union Ferry Company. The venture created a more frequent and regular service between Brooklyn and New York City, and effectively monopolized transportation across the East River prior to the completion of the Brooklyn Bridge in 1883.
By 1857 Henry Evelyn and William Pierrepont had established a joint venture, the Pierrepont Stores, "a United States bonded warehouse where ships' freight was received and stored for the owners, insured by the government, until duties were paid." The Stores was a major port of entry for a number of different cargoes (primarily sugar and molasses) from locales ranging from the Caribbean to Manila. Upon Henry Evelyn's retirement from business, his two sons took over the Pierrepont Stores, which they operated until leased to the Empire Warehouse Company in 1888, shortly after the death of their father on March 28, 1888.
Henry Evelyn Pierrepont dedicated much of his time to the cultural development of the city, as well as its commercial expansion. He held a number of prominent positions, such as Trustee of Brooklyn Hospital, Trustee and President of Green-Wood Cemetery, Director of the Academy of Music, Director and President of the Brooklyn Club, and Director of The Long Island Historical Society.
Henry Evelyn Pierrepont II:
The eldest son of Henry Evelyn and Anna Maria Pierrepont, Henry Evelyn II was born in Brooklyn on December 9, 1845. Henry Evelyn, Jr. studied at Columbia College, receiving his B.A. in 1867. In 1869 he married Ellen A. Low, daughter of Ellen Almira Dow and Abiel Abbot Low, with whom he had six children. He and his brother, John Jay, soon took charge of the Pierrepont Stores, joining forces with Ferdinand N. Massa in the firm of Pierrepont Brothers. The brothers sold the Stores in 1888 and Henry Evelyn, Jr. retired from active business ventures, devoting his time to the further development of his real estate holdings. He continued his commitment to work within the community, most notably at Grace Church, of which his father had been a founding member and senior warden, a position which Henry Evelyn, Jr. also came to hold. Henry Evelyn Pierrepont II died in Brooklyn on November 4, 1911.
John Jay Pierrepont:
The younger of Henry Evelyn Pierrepont's two sons, John Jay was born in Brooklyn on September 3, 1849. John Jay married, on April 26, 1876, Elise de Rham, the daughter of Charles de Rham and Laura Schmidt, and the couple had one child who died before reaching one year of age. Elise Pierrepont died less than two years later on October 17, 1879 and John Jay Pierrepont lived out the rest of his life in the family house at One Pierrepont Place in Brooklyn, remaining an active member of Brooklyn society until his death on September 25, 1923.
Arrangement
The collection is organized in the following series:
- Series 1: Mercantile, Farm and Distillery
- Series 2: Personal and Social Matters
- Series 3: Brooklyn Real Estate
- Series 4: Pierrepont Stores
- Series 5: Rail Lines in Brooklyn
- Series 6: Brooklyn Waterfront and Ferries
- Series 7: Newspaper Clippings
- Series 8: Diaries
Scope and Contents
The Pierrepont family papers illustrate the intersection of commercial, civic and personal interests across three generations of a Brooklyn family, principally in the nineteenth century. Although these papers span the period from 1761 to 1918, the bulk of the collection concerns the business dealings of Henry Evelyn Pierrepont from 1838 to his death in 1888. This especially includes an extensive set of records concerning the Pierrepont Stores, the family's warehouse on Brooklyn's East River waterfront. Included in the collection are correspondence, deeds, indentures, leases, accounting records, diaries, maps, invoices, receipts, business proposals, legal filings, clippings, and historical and genealogical manuscripts.
Included in the collection are a substantial number of deeds, leases, indentures, manuscript maps, title searches, and other documents concerning acquisition of land by the Pierreponts, primarily Hezekiah Beers Pierpont, in Brooklyn Heights and the adjoining waterfront. Similar documents concern the development of this land for personal use (e.g., the building of the family's home at One Pierrepont Place), civic improvement (e.g., the opening of streets, allocation of land to churches), and commercial ventures. Competing priorities among these interests can be seen in the collection, as in connection with attempts by cable car and elevated railway companies to build on or near Pierrepont property.
The Pierrepont's commercial activities are exceptionally well-represented in the collection. An extensive set of records for the Pierrepont Stores, from 1856-1888, includes day books, journals, ledgers, cash books, and records of deliveries received from arriving ships and goods transported to and from the Stores. In addition to the financial aspects of the business, the ledgers provide much information about the names of ships, their origin, and their cargo. Further, the Stores's time book is in the collection, with data on the names and daily hours of the workers. Correspondence, building construction and repair invoices, architectural plans, and business management documents concerning the Stores are in the collection. Henry's involvement as an officer of the Union Ferry Company, and the development of East River waterfront and ferry rights is well-represented in the collection with correspondence, proposals, maps, and legal documents. Account records related to Hezekiah's early nineteenth century distillery operation are in the collection.
A range of personal papers are in the collection. Many of these concern Henry and other Pierreponts engagement with civic institutions, such as the Long Island Historical Society, Brooklyn Academy of Music, Green-Wood Cemetery, and the Astronomical Society of Brooklyn. Henry's manuscript and supporting material for his published history of the Fulton Ferry is in the collection, along with other historical, biographical and genealogical materials. The collection includes a Civil War-themed scrapbook. Henry's rich diary from the last years (1877-1888) of his life is the collection. Correspondence between members of the Pierreponts, including Hezekiah's wife, Anna Maria, give insight into the Pierrepont's vision and concerns for the Montague Street area, for the Stores, and for their family welfare.
Subjects
Organizations
Families
Genres
People
Topics
Conditions Governing Access
Open to researchers without restriction.
Conditions Governing Use
The materials are in the public domain. While many items at the Center for Brooklyn History are unrestricted, we do not own reproduction rights to all materials. Be aware of the several kinds of rights that might apply: copyright, licensing and trademarks. The researcher assumes all responsibility for copyright questions.
Preferred Citation
Identification of item, date (if known); Pierrepont family papers, ARC.263, Box and Folder number; Brooklyn Public Library, Center for Brooklyn History.
Location of Materials
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The collection is comprised of several accessions. Explicit documentation of the provenance for most of these accessions is lacking. Evidence exists that most of the material included in the collection was donated by Pierrepont family members who were active participants in The Long Island Historical Society (re-named Brooklyn Historical Society in 1985) from its founding in 1863. The papers were received over a period of approximately seventy-five years, from the late nineteenth century through 1962. Copy of disputed will of H.B. Pierpont is the gift of Charlotte Beagle, 2015.
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
The majority of the materials in this collection are stored offsite and advance notice is required for use. Please contact cbhreference@bklynlibrary.org at least three weeks prior to research visit.
About this Guide
Processing Information
The collection was first described in 1978 by Thomas Mill. In 1999, with sponsorship from a grant from the National Historical Publications and Records Committee, the finding aid was revised by Project Archivist Teresa Mora, with further edits by Project Consultant Marilyn H. Pettit. Additional minor edits were made by Leilani Dawson in 2006. In 2011, Project Archivist Larry Weimer slightly re-arranged parts of the collection and modified the finding aid, principally to accommodate input to a collection management system, Archivists' Toolkit. One additional file (1986.002) added to Series 3 by Archivist John Zarrillo in November 2014. Four additional court publications which had been separated from the papers were added to Series 6 by John Zarrillo in February 2015. Accession M1975.646 (broadside advertisement for land in Jefferson County) added to Series 3 by John Zarrillo in August 2015. Copy of the disputed will of H.B. Pierpont added to Series 3 by John Zarrillo in March 2017.
The collection is comprised of several accessions: 1973.325, 1973.088, 1973.248, 1973.288, 1974.182, 1974.246, 1977.137, 1977.139, 1977.336, 1977.658, 1980.035, 1986.002, 1987.015, and M1975.646.
Sponsor Note
Revisions to this Guide
Repository
Series 1: Mercantile, Farm and Distillery, 1802-1824, inclusive
Extent
Scope and Contents
This series contains materials relating to Hezekiah Beers Pierpont's business ventures and consists primarily of financial accounts of the distillery and of persons indebted to him.
Arrangement
The series is arranged by subject matter.
Accounts of cow and cattle establishment and of persons indebted to H.B. Pierpont, 1818-1824, inclusive
Distillery Accounts, 1819-1824, inclusive
Agreement between Captain George Nichols, captain Jacob Smith and John Pierpont chartering the ship Active out of Salem, Massachusetts bound for Japan, 1802, inclusive
Account book of persons indebted to H.B. Pierpont, milkmen, and accounts of corn and rye received at the distillery from Long Island farmers, 1816-1822, inclusive
Series 2: Personal and Social Matters, 1823-1918, inclusive
Extent
Scope and Contents
This series primarily concerns the private, social, educational, and cultural pursuits of various Pierreponts, principally Henry Sr. Some important documents concern the Pierreponts's commercial and property interests; an example of this is an 1845 letter from Henry concerning Brooklyn Heights and Montague Street land transactions. Much of the correspondence in the series concerns the various civic committees and religious or cultural institutions supported by the Pierreponts, including the Long Island Historical Society, Astronomical Society of Brooklyn, Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn Academy of Music, Committee on the University, and St. John's Church. Some correspondence and other documents concern the two Anna Maria Pierreponts (Constable and Jay); among these is an 1848 letter discussing the impact of a large fire in Brooklyn.
Also found here are materials concerning Henry's elementary education and intellectual interests, family history and genealogy, and material concerning deaths and burial monuments. Among the historical notes is 1863 correspondence from Henry Sr. to Henry Stiles discussing the history of Brooklyn Heights. Some financial records are included in the series, such as the details of a 1845 wharf and land purchase and Henry's personal cash book (1825-1832). Also included is a 1907-08 series of National Photographic Library Postcards presented to the LIHS by Henry E. Pierrepont.
Arrangement
The series is arranged by document form and subject matter in roughly chronological order.
Henry E. Pierrepont: early education (2 folders), 1823-1824, inclusive
General
Includes the book Key to the exercises calculated to enable private learners to become their own instructors in grammar and composition. Includes the Yearly distribution of premiums for the pupils of the Lyceum.
Notebook of H.E. Pierrepont containing mathematical exercises, sketches, and essays, circa 1830, inclusive
Barometric record kept by H.E. Pierrepont, 1839-1840, inclusive
Article by H.E. Pierrepont on the tides of the Great Lakes, 1839, inclusive
List of Subscribers to the Brooklyn Assembly, 1832, 1873, inclusive
Washington and Montague Park proposals published in local newspapers, also includes correspondence, 1845-1848, 1860, inclusive
Astronomical Society of Brooklyn: subscription book for the construction of an observatory, constitution, 1850, inclusive
General
One piece of correspondence is in French.
Act concerning French Spoliation Claims, 1850, 1885, inclusive
Passport, H.E Pierrepont, Jr., 1863, inclusive
Correspondence: Henry and Henry Jr. (5 folders), 1832-1895, inclusive
General
These folders include correspondence to and from the Henry Pierreponts. Most likely concern Henry Sr., though Henry Jr. is also represented. Correspondence to a Henry from one of the Anna Maria Pierreponts is included in a later folder.
Correspondence: John J., 1918, inclusive
Correspondence and other documents: Anna Marias (Constable and Jay), 1826-1902, inclusive
General
This folder includes documents likely related to both Anna Maria (Constable) Pierrepont (Hezekiah's wife) and to Anna Maria (Jay) Pierrepont (Henry Sr's wife).
Correspondence: to Seth (Low Pierrepont?), 1909-1910, inclusive
H.E. Pierrepont's personal cash book, 1825-1832, inclusive
Financial Documents, 1817, 1838, 1845, 1865-1870, inclusive
General
Includes financial details of a 1845 wharf and land purchase and a receipt for an 1817 survey.
Contents of H.E. Pierrepont, Jr.'s wallet, 1875-1902, inclusive
General
The wallet itself was removed from this collection to BHS's museum collection. The contents include genealogical notes, correspondence, financial notes, and clippings.
Social cards, circa 1890, inclusive
Ellen Low Pierrepont: death and estate, 1872-1905, inclusive
Pierrepont Family History prepared by John Jay Pierrepont (photocopy), 1904, 1921, inclusive
Typescript recollections concerning Peter and Nancy (both blind from smallpox), children of Pierre Jay, circa 1880s, inclusive
Notes concerning history of plate once owned by Nathan Beers, circa 1900, inclusive
National Photographic Library Postcards and certificate presented to LIHS by Henry E. Pierrepont, 1907-1908, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Contains 1908 certificate of membership for Henry E. Pierrepont to the National Photographic Library, a placard declaring that it was presented by Pierrepont to the Long Island Historical Society, and several placards with photographs and descriptions on the back. The 1907 photographs are of natural phenomena in Alaska and the Southwestern United States such as Yellowstone Park, anthropological images of Southwestern Native peoples, and images of archeological sites. The images have detailed descriptions of what they depict on the backs of the individual placards.
Processing Information
Archival material found in repository added to collection by Lena Evers-Hillstrom in October 2018.
Pierrepont House architectural drawings, undated, inclusive
Series 3: Brooklyn Real Estate, 1761-1873, inclusive
Extent
Scope and Contents
The bulk of these records relate to Hezekiah Pierrepont's real estate holdings and transactions within the Village and City of Brooklyn, especially Brooklyn Heights. Included are an extensive number of legal documents, such as property conveyances, deeds, wills, indentures, mortgages, and leases. A bound volume of abstracts is in the series. A second set of abstracts are found in a volume originally used for recording bills receivable and payable of an unknown firm for 1788-1789; these bills include transactions with Gouverneur and Robert Morris, among others. There are real estate title searches dated after Hezekiah's death (1838-1854) and so were probably initiated by his son, Henry, as executor of the estate. Related documents include manuscript maps and correspondence. In addition to the Pierreponts, among the surnames appearing frequently in the legal documents are Benson, Brinckerhoff, DeBevoise, Jackson, Packer, Perry, Remsen, Tredwell, Van Wagenen, and Woortman.
The series holds substantial documentation of the Pierrepont House at One Pierrepont Place, particularly invoices for construction labor and material. Documents in the series also refer to agreements concerning the opening (e.g., Remsen) and closing (Moser) of streets, a party wall, and land for the Church of the Pilgrims and other churches.
There are several manuscript maps of the Pierrepont distillery, Pierrepont property in Brooklyn, and the waterfront docks, including Whitehall slip in Manhattan. There is a large sketch of the Pierrepont Stores building.
The series also includes a deed for property in Redfield Township, Oswego County, NY, for Ellen I. Minor (daughter of Hezekiah B. Pierpont). The property was apparently part of Hezekiah Pierpont's estate settlement. It also includes a broadside advertising the sale of "canal lands" in Jefferson County, New York (1823).
Arrangement
The series is only roughly organized, with the various legal documents followed by documents concerning One Pierrepont Place. The date range was determined by observation of the processing archivist and should be taken as circa dates.
Brooklyn Heights property conveyances, 1761-1816, 1823, inclusive
Lease from New York City allowing H.B. Pierrepont a water lot in Brooklyn, 1823, inclusive
Brooklyn property conveyances to H.B. Pierpont estate, 1811-1843, inclusive
Leases, deeds, and mortgages in the Village and City of Brooklyn, 1824-1855, inclusive
Bound volume of abstracts of deeds and mortgages from H.B. Pierpont or executors: indexed alphabetically, 1824-1847, inclusive
Abstracts of deeds from H.B. Pierpont or executors, 1835-1842, inclusive
General
This volume was originally used for recording bills receivable and payable for an unknown firm from 1788-1789; these bills include transactions with Gouverneur and Robert Morris, among others.
Leases, deeds, and mortgages in the Village and City of Brooklyn, including advertisement taken out by H.B. Pierpont announcing impending sale of lots on Brooklyn Heights and map of said lots, 1831-1860, inclusive
Property conveyances in Brooklyn, 1843-1847
Benson-Pierrepont farm: tracing of conveyances, circa 1873, inclusive
Brooklyn estate title searches, tracing conveyances occurring between 1642-1854; includes notes, abstracts and maps, circa 1838-1854, inclusive
H.E. Pierrepont notebook regarding property development of Heights, including maps, sketches, drafts of correspondence, calculations, and miscellaneous notes, 1832, inclusive
Estate of H.B. Pierpont: leases, deeds, mortgages, 1829-1852, inclusive
Estate of H.B. Pierpont: copies and abstracts of deeds, 1852-1856, inclusive
Copy of disputed will of H.B. Pierpont, 1855
Retaining wall along the embankment of the Pierrepont property: sketches, contract, expenses, 1841-1842, inclusive
One Pierrepont Place: building and repair invoices and receipts (6 folders), 1856-1868, inclusive
One Pierrepont Place: accounts, including correspondence from architect Richard Upjohn and Co., 1856-1861, inclusive
Paving of Furman and Pierrepont Streets: correspondence, contract, certification, 1842, 1869, inclusive
Pilgrim Church: correspondence and agreement, circa 1840-1887, inclusive
Ellen I. Minor - Redfield Township, Oswego County deed, 1864, inclusive
Subscription to build Episcopal church on Brooklyn Heights and sale of land, circa 1840, inclusive
Maps, circa 1785-circa 1845, inclusive
General
Includes "maps of distillery used in the suit of Schenck to prove water rights" and other maps of the distillery and Pierrepont property in Brooklyn. Also includes an elevation sketch of Pierrepont Stores and map of the Whitehall slip (Manhattan).
Broadside: "New York Canal Lands on Sale", 1823, inclusive
Series 4: Pierrepont Stores, 1835-1895, inclusive
Extent
Scope and Contents
This series, the largest of the collection, includes an extensive set of records for the Pierrepont Stores, from 1856-1888, including day books, journals, ledgers, cash books, and records of deliveries received from arriving ships and goods transported to and from the Stores. In addition to the financial aspects of the business, the ledgers provide much information about the names of ships, their origin, and their cargo. Further, the Stores's time book is in the collection, with data on the names and daily hours of the workers. Correspondence, building construction and repair invoices, architectural plans, and business management documents concerning the Stores are in the series.
Arrangement
The series is organized in the following sub-series:
Sub-series 1: Manuscripts
Sub-series 2: Journals
Sub-series 3: Ledgers
Sub-series 4: Storage Ledgers
Sub-series 5: Cargo Received Ledgers
Sub-series 6: Order Books
Sub-series 7: Receipt Books
Sub-series 8: Cash Books
Sub-series 9: Day Books
Sub-series 10: Time Books
Sub-series 11: Collection Book
Sub-series 12: Letterpress Copybooks
Sub-series 1: Manuscripts, 1835-1895, inclusive
Extent
Scope and Contents
The sub-series holds documents relating to waterfront property ownership, rights and development; correspondence regarding the management of the Pierrepont Stores; and information regarding the lease of the Stores to Empire Warehouse Co. and the 1888 sale to Brooklyn Wharf and Warehouse Co. The sub-series holds invoices and other financial transaction records documenting the cost of operations, especially repairs, of the Stores. Architectural plans for the Stores are in the sub-series. Overall, the sub-series documents the Pierreponts's engagement with the development of the wharf and, by the late nineteenth century, their willingness to sell their interests.
Arrangement
The sub-series is arranged by subject matter in roughly chronological order. The date range was determined by observation of the processing archivist and should be taken as circa dates.
Brooklyn waterfront property rights, 1835-1869, inclusive
General
Includes material related to Brooklyn wharf interests: Brooklyn Wharf Owners Association and Citizens' Association of New-York documents; legislation authorizing Hezekiah Pierrepont to erect a dock in Brooklyn; correspondence with legal counsel and others; New York Senate Committee report on New York Harbor water lines; with map (1856); court decisions; etc.
Architectural plans of Pierrepont Stores by John Mumford (5 items), circa 1855, inclusive
Inventory: tools and furniture, 1860, inclusive
Pierrepont Waterfront Property and operation of the Stores, 1839-1886, inclusive
Hobart and J.K. Ford: correspondence regarding rental and management of Stores, blank warehouse certificate, 1855-1864, inclusive
J.K. Ford and F.N. Massa: correspondence, 1863-1871, inclusive
Accounts of expenditures for repair and upkeep, 1862-1881, inclusive
Pierrepont Stores: invoices, receipts, statements: operations and repairs (2 folders), 1855-1868, inclusive
Accounts of wharf repairs, 1869, inclusive
Pierrepont Stores: Business and financial evaluation, 1870, inclusive
U.S. Treasury Department's Sugar Appraisal Building on Pierrepont property: correspondence, 1880-1895, inclusive
Lease of Stores to Empire Warehouse Co., Ltd.: correspondence and copy of lease, 1888-1892, inclusive
Sale of Stores to Brooklyn Wharf and Warehouse Co., 1894-1895, inclusive
Sub-series 2: Journals, 1856-circa 1865, inclusive
Extent
Scope and Contents
The journals of the Pierrepont Stores record the warehouse's business transactions. Organized chronologically by month and year, the entries include account number, date, client name, cost of storage, labor, perquisites, and transportation around the docks on barges known as lighters, along with the total cost of the transaction. The journals also document "bills rendered during the month," "collections during the month," and "disbursements for the month," which often record in greater detail the extent of labor and storage provided. These volumes are particularly useful for research of the financial history of the Pierrepont Stores.
Arrangement
The five account indexes are first, followed by the four journals, which proceed in rough chronological order. The container list refers to the label, if extant, on the journal's binding. The date range was determined by observation of the processing archivist and should be taken as circa dates.
Indexes of Names for Customer Accounts (5), circa 1862-circa 1880, inclusive
General
See also indexes of names and associated vessels in the Ledger sub-series.
[No label on binding]: May 1856-circa Feb 1865, 1856-1865, inclusive
Journal No. 2 - Pierrepont Stores: Nov 1862-May 1866; May 1887-Dec 1888, 1862-1866, 1887-1888, inclusive
Journal - Pierrepont Stores: May 1865-Jul 1875, 1865-1875, inclusive
Journal No. 4 - Pierrepont Stores: Aug 1875-Apr 1887, 1875-1877, inclusive
Sub-series 3: Ledgers, 1856-1888, inclusive
Extent
Scope and Contents
The ledgers of the Pierrepont Stores hold the summaries of monthly business. Organized by account, these three volumes detail the monthly balance of the Stores and the income earned in Storage as well as in Labor. Also included are records of "Bills Payable," monthly totals of particular client's bills, and the cost of tools and furniture, as well as repairs, perquisites, and general expenses. The ledgers indicate which accounts for which period are attributable to Ford and Co. The ledgers are particularly useful to any research of the financial history of the Pierrepont Stores or nineteenth century freight shipping in Brooklyn.
Arrangement
Three ledgers proceeding in rough chronological order. The container list refers to the label, if extant, on the ledger's binding. The date range was determined by observation of the processing archivist and should be taken as circa dates.
Ledger, 1856-1866, inclusive
Ledger, 1865-1884, inclusive
Ledger No. 3 - Pierrepont Stores, 1882-1888, inclusive
Sub-series 4: Storage Ledgers, 1856-1888, inclusive
Extent
Scope and Contents
These ledgers hold more specific information regarding the stores of particular clients. Each ledger includes a separate index of customer account names, also indicating the name of their associated vessel or vessels. The ledgers are ordered alphabetically according to client, and entries list the date, cargo stored, cost to client, to whom or where the cargo was delivered, and additional notes regarding care of the cargo. The majority of the cargo listed within these ledgers was sugar and molasses, a specialty of the Stores.
Arrangement
Five ledgers proceeding in rough chronological order. The container list refers to the label, if extant, on the ledger's binding. A separate name index by customer is found with each ledger. The date range was determined by observation of the processing archivist and should be taken as circa dates.
[No label on binding], 1856-1863, inclusive
[No label on binding], 1862-1871, inclusive
[No label on binding], 1868-1875, inclusive
Storage Ledger - Pierrepont Stores, 1875-1882, inclusive
Storage Ledger No. 5 - Pierrepont Stores, 1882-1888, inclusive
Sub-series 5: Cargo Received Ledgers, 1858-1888, inclusive
Extent
Scope and Contents
Eleven volumes covering the periods 1858-1883 and 1885-1888 replicate the information found in the Storage Ledgers. Especially interesting is that these volumes also list the origin of each ship. The volumes are indexed by ship and entries list the client, ship, and cargo. In addition, entries record port of origin, date of departure from that port, ports of call (much of this information is conveyed in symbols), duty charged, and receipt numbers, which do not appear to coincide with the receipt books of Sub-series 6. Individual records occasionally include detailed notes of instruction regarding the care of the cargo. Cancelled orders and ships returned in "distress" are also noted, as are transfers to other ships, which are recorded in red ink.
The "Cargo Received" Ledgers are especially notable in tracking increasingly diverse imports. The records show the growing demand for, and importance of, imports from colonial provinces in India and Asia, including Calcutta and Manila. The most common cargoes appear to be sugar and molasses; other frequent items include hemp, shellac, and hides, as well as spices and textiles.
Arrangement
The eleven ledgers proceed chronologically by date of ship arrival. A ledger for a period in the 1880s is not in the collection and may not be extant. The container list refers to the label, if extant, on the ledger's binding. A name index by vessel is found at the front of each ledger. The date range was determined by observation of the processing archivist and should be taken as circa dates.
Cargo Received - Ford and Co.: 19 Feb 1858 - 29 Oct 1859, 1858-1859, inclusive
[No label on binding]: 29 Oct 1859 - 28 Mar 1862, 1859-1862, inclusive
Cargoes Received No. 3 - Pierrepont Stores: 29 Mar 1862 - 4 Mar 1864, 1862-1864, inclusive
Cargoes Received No. 4 - Pierrepont Stores: 15 Feb 1864 - 14 Aug 1866, 1864-1866, inclusive
Cargo Received No. 5 - Pierrepont Stores: 14 Aug 1866 - 29 May 1869, 1866-1869, inclusive
Cargo Book No. 6: 1 Jun 1869 - 5 Apr 1872, 1869-1872, inclusive
Cargoes Received - Pierrepont Stores: 5 Apr 1872 - 7 Sep 1874, 1872-1874, inclusive
[No label on binding]: 11 Sep 1874 - 14 Dec 1877, 1874-1877, inclusive
Pierrepont Bros and Co.: 22 Dec 1877 - 17 Dec 1880, 1877-1880, inclusive
[No label on binding]: 18 Dec 1880 - 21 Apr 1883, 1880-1883, inclusive
Cargoes Received No. 12 - Pierrepont Stores: 20 Oct 1885 - 16 May 1888, 1885-1888, inclusive
Sub-series 6: Order Books, 1856-1888, inclusive
Extent
Scope and Contents
Each of fifteen order books lists the date of order, the date of the ship's arrival, cargo, client, account number, duty paid, and where or to whom the cargo was sent and when. Entries sometimes included further instructions for the handling of cargo. These volumes are most interesting in the fact that they allow for the tracing of a shipment from its arrival at the docks to its departure from the Pierrepont Stores, even listing the lighter that transported the cargo around the docks.
Arrangement
The fifteen order books proceed chronologically by date of order. A book for a period in the 1880s is not in the collection and may not be extant. The container list refers to the label, if extant, on the book's binding. The date range was determined by observation of the processing archivist and should be taken as circa dates.
[No label on binding]: 15 May 1856 - 14 Feb 1860, 1856-1860, inclusive
Order Book No. 2 - Ford and Co.: 15 Feb 1860 - 13 Jan 1863, 1860-1863, inclusive
Order Book No. 3 - Pierrepont Stores: 13 Jan 1863 - 1 Oct 1864, 1863-1864, inclusive
Order Book - Pierrepont Stores: 1 Oct 1864 - 15 Dec 1866, 1864-1866, inclusive
Orders - Pierrepont Stores: 18 Dec 1866 - 13 Oct 1868, 1866-1868, inclusive
Orders - Pierrepont Stores: 14 Oct 1868 - 22 Dec 1870, 1868-1870, inclusive
Orders - Pierrepont Stores: 23 Dec 1870 - 16 Nov 1872, 1870-1872, inclusive
[No label on binding]: 18 Nov 1872 - 2 Jan 1875, 1872-1875, inclusive
Orders - Pierrepont Stores: 2 Jan 1875 - 31 Mar 1877, 1875-1877, inclusive
Orders: 2 Apr 1877 - 3 Apr 1879, 1877-1879, inclusive
Orders No. 11 - Pierrepont Stores: 3 Apr 1879 - 31 Jan 1881, 1879-1881, inclusive
Pierrepont Stores: 1 Feb 1881 - 16 Sep 1882, 1881-1882, inclusive
Orders No. 13 - Pierrepont Stores: 18 Sep 1882 - 15 Feb 1884, 1882-1884, inclusive
Orders No. 14 - Pierrepont Stores: 16 Feb 1884 - 11 Dec 1885, 1884-1885, inclusive
Orders No. 16 - Pierrepont Stores: 3 Dec 1887 - 17 May 1888, 1887-1888, inclusive
Sub-series 7: Receipt Books, 1857-1859, inclusive
Extent
Scope and Contents
The sub-series includes various forms of receipts, acknowledgements, and records of dockage and storage services. The bulk includes sixteen books of acknowledgements of goods delivered to a ship, cart, or other location. There are three books of accounts recording dockage stays and related charges, one book of what appears to be storage accounts, and three books of letterpress copies of receipts.
Arrangement
The sixteen books of acknowledgements of goods delivered to a ship, cart, or other location appear first. These are followed by the three dockage books, one book of what appears to be the storage accounts, and three books of letterpress copies of receipts. Each book proceeds chronologically. The container list refers to the label, if extant, on the book's binding. The date range was determined by observation of the processing archivist and should be taken as circa dates.
Shipping Receipts No. 2 - Ford and Co.: 29 May 1857 - 20 May 1859, 1857-1859, inclusive
Shipping Receipts No. 3 - Ford and Co.: 21 May 1859 - 22 Oct 1860, 1859-1860, inclusive
Shipping Receipts - Ford and Co.: 22 Oct 1860 - 5 Feb 1863, 1860-1863, inclusive
Shipping Receipts - Pierrepont Stores: 5 Feb 1863 - 19 Mar 1864, 1863-1864, inclusive
Pierrepont Stores: 19 Mar 1864 - 22 Mar 1865, 1864-1865, inclusive
Receipt Book - Pierrepont Stores: 22 Mar 1865 - 5 May 1866, 1865-1866, inclusive
Receipts: 5 May 1866 - 17 Feb 1868, 1866-1868, inclusive
Receipts - Pierrepont Stores: 17 Feb 1868 - 15 Jun 1870, 1868-1870, inclusive
Receipts - Pierrepont Stores: 15 Jun 1870 - 29 Jun 1872, 1870-1872, inclusive
Receipts No. 11 - Pierrepont Stores: 29 Jun 1872 - 1 May 1874, 1872-1874, inclusive
Receipts - Pierrepont Stores: 1 May 1874 - 18 Aug 1876, 1874-1876, inclusive
Receipts No. 13 - Pierrepont Stores: 18 Aug 1876 - 2 Dec 1878, 1876-1878, inclusive
Receipts No. 14 - Pierrepont Stores: 2 Dec 1878 - 11 Dec 1880, 1878-1880, inclusive
Receipts No. 15 - Pierrepont Stores: 13 Dec 1880 - 7 Mar 1883, 1880-1883, inclusive
Receipts No. 16 - Pierrepont Stores: 7 Mar 1883 - 28 Sep 1885, 1883-1885, inclusive
Receipts No. 17 - Pierrepont Stores: 28 Sep 1885 - 29 May 1888, 1885-1888, inclusive
[Dockage Book]: 28 Nov 1879 - 7 Apr 1884, 1879-1884, inclusive
Dockage Book (2 books): 8 Apr 1884 - 15 May 1888, 1884-1888, inclusive
[No label on binding]: 29 Oct 1886 - 7 May 1888, 1886-1888, inclusive
[No label on binding]: 18 Jan 1883 - 10 Mar 1884, 1883-1884, inclusive
Receipt Book: 29 Feb 1884 - 8 Jul 1885, 1884-1885, inclusive
Receipts: 8 Jul 1885 - 12 Nov 1886, 1885-1886, inclusive
Sub-series 8: Cash Books, 1856-1890, inclusive
Extent
Scope and Contents
The cash book entries reflect monthly tallies of the Pierrepont Stores' finances and include listings of services rendered, items purchased, and payroll costs.
Arrangement
Four volumes proceeding in rough chronological order. The container list refers to the label, if extant, on the volume's binding. The date range was determined by observation of the processing archivist and should be taken as circa dates.
[No label on binding]: 12 May 1856 - 31 Dec 1863, 1856-1863, inclusive
Cash Book - Pierrepont Stores: 2 Jan 1864 - 31 Oct 1874, 1864-1874, inclusive
Cash Book - Pierrepont Stores: 3 May 1871 - 8 Oct 1883, 1871-1883, inclusive
Cash Book - Pierrepont Stores: 5 May 1882 - 6 Feb 1890, 1882-1890, inclusive
Sub-series 9: Day Books, 1856-1888, inclusive
Extent
Scope and Contents
Each of these seven volumes details the daily costs and earnings of the Pierrepont Stores. Entries list clients, cargo, services rendered, and amount charged for those services.
Arrangement
Seven volumes proceeding in rough chronological order. The container list refers to the label, if extant, on the volume's binding. The date range was determined by observation of the processing archivist and should be taken as circa dates.
Day Book No. 1 - Ford and Co.: 23 May 1856 - 21 Mar 1863, 1856-1863, inclusive
Day Book No. 2 - Ford and Co.: 2 Nov 1860 - 25 May 1864, 1860-1864, inclusive
Day Book No. 3 - Pierrepont Stores: 25 May 1864 - 23 May 1868, 1864-1868, inclusive
Day Book No. 4 - Pierrepont Stores: 4 May 1868 - 17 Jan 1874, 1868-1874, inclusive
Day Book No. 5 - Pierrepont Bros. and Co.: 17 Jan 1874 - 11 Feb 1881, 1874-1881, inclusive
[No label on binding]: 12 Feb 1881 - 30 Oct 1884, 1881-1884, inclusive
[No label on binding]: 30 Oct 1884 - 14 May 1888, 1884-1888, inclusive
Sub-series 10: Time Books, 1856-1883, inclusive
Extent
Scope and Contents
These four volumes are organized weekly and list employees alphabetically. The books list the entire payroll by individual employee, including dates worked, hours worked per day and per week, total pay of the employee, and the total payroll cost for the week. Notes regarding payment and advances are also noted within the ledgers.
Arrangement
Four volumes proceeding in rough chronological order. The container list refers to the label, if extant, on the volume's binding. The date range was determined by observation of the processing archivist and should be taken as circa dates.
[No label on binding]: May 1856-Jul 1863, 1856-1863, inclusive
Time Book - Pierrepont Stores: Jul 1863-May 1869, 1863-1869, inclusive
Time Book - Pierrepont Stores: May 1869-Apr 1877, 1869-1877, inclusive
Time Book - Pierrepont Stores: Apr 1877 - Jul 1883, 1877-1883, inclusive
Sub-series 11: Collection Book, 1883-1886, inclusive
Extent
Scope and Contents
The one volume that makes up this sub-series is a record of bills paid to the Pierrepont Stores between 1883 and 1886. Entries, arranged chronologically, include client name, cargo, ship, charge, and the date of payment.
Arrangement
The sub-series consists of one volume. The date range was determined by observation of the processing archivist and should be taken as circa dates.
Pierrepont Brothers and Co.: Dec 1883 - Apr 1886, 1883-1886, inclusive
Sub-series 12: Letterpress Copybooks, 1884-1891, inclusive
Extent
Scope and Contents
These two volumes hold copies of outgoing business correspondence regarding the Pierrepont Stores. The bulk of this correspondence is directed to clients regarding their orders.
Arrangement
Two volumes proceed chronologically. The date range was determined by observation of the processing archivist and should be taken as circa dates.
Letter Book: 15 Nov 1884 - 9 Jun 1886, 1884-1886, inclusive
[No label on binding]: 10 Jun 1886 - 13 Feb 1891, 1886-1891, inclusive
Series 5: Rail Lines in Brooklyn, 1868-1898, inclusive
Extent
Scope and Contents
This series contains material relating to the proposed development of various rail lines in Brooklyn, primarily in Brooklyn Heights along Montague Street. The series documents the Pierreponts's objections to railway development impacting their property and business, and their negotiations permitting development. The series includes correspondence, legal agreements, legal advice, judicial reports, circulars, clippings, and petitions. Principal matters concern the Nassau Cable Railway Company of Brooklyn and the Covered Tube Cable Railway Company. Also included is Henry Pierrepont, Jr's correspondence to Governor Cornell opposing an elevated railroad on Furman Street.
Arrangement
The series is arranged by subject.
Nassau Cable Railway Company of Brooklyn: Proposed Montague St. and Atlantic Ave. Railroads, 1868, 1883-1885, inclusive
Covered Tube Railway Co. and Brooklyn Heights Railroad Co.: Proposed Montague St. Railroad, 1886-1898, inclusive
Newspaper clippings, 1880-1890, inclusive
Furman Street Elevated Railroad, 1877, 1880, inclusive
Series 6: Brooklyn Waterfront and Ferries, 1816-1890, inclusive
Extent
Scope and Contents
This series provides rich documentation concerning the development of the Brooklyn waterfront and East River ferry service, especially with regard to the Union Ferry Company during the mid-nineteenth century. The series includes correspondence, legal agreements, leases, corporate formation documents, and court filings. In addition to substantial manuscript material, there is printed material, such as New York Supreme Court decisions, government committee reports, leases, and pamphlets. Much of the material concerns negotiations with New York City and Brooklyn municipal authorities over franchise and property rights. Overall, strategic business objectives are a focus of the series, rather than day-to-day operational or financial matters. Nonetheless, there is material on specific matters, including the 1852 strike of ferry pilots and the 1883 experiment to replace gas lighting with electric on a ferry. The Fulton Ferry, South Ferry and Hamilton Avenue Ferry are well represented in the series, along with reference to Manhattan locations, such as the Wall Street Ferry. The Atlantic Dock Company and Williamsburgh Ferry Company are also represented.
The series also includes an incomplete handwritten manuscript of Henry E. Pierrepont's Historical Sketch of the Fulton Ferry and its Associated Ferries, along with correspondence, notes and other materials compiled in connection with the history. The series includes maps, sketches, correspondence, legal agreements, and other documents concerning the bulkhead, docks, piers, and other structures on Pierreponts's waterfront property (also see Series 3 for maps and other related material).
Arrangement
The series opens with manuscript material related principally to the Union Ferry Company, followed by material related more specifically to Pierrepont property. This is followed by 2 folders of material related to Henry Pierrepont's history of the ferries and by printed matter.
Union Ferry Company (5 folders), 1837-1890, inclusive
Union Ferry Company: Pilot's Strike, 1852, inclusive
Union Ferry Company: Electric Lights, 1883, inclusive
General
Includes electric company proposals (e.g., United States Illuminating Company, Edison Electric Illuminating Company of N.Y), correspondence, and cost benefit figures related to Union Ferry Company's experiment with electricity as a replacement for gas lighting.
Pierrepont Waterfront Property (3 folders), 1816-1871, inclusive
General
Includes tracings of Fulton Ferry Landing as surveyed by Thomas Poppleton, 1816.
Brooklyn Ferry History (2 folders), 1877-1882, inclusive
Print material (4 items), 1820s, undated, inclusive
Print material (7 items), 1838-1839, inclusive
Print material (8 items, incl. 1 manuscript), 1845-1849, inclusive
Print material (28 items in 4 folders), 1850-1857, inclusive
Print material (7 items), 1860-1861, 1867, inclusive
Print material (6 items), 1876-1878, 1884, inclusive
Series 7: Newspaper Clippings, 1832-1915, inclusive
Extent
Scope and Contents
The series is comprised of many loose clippings and one scrapbook. The scrapbook is Civil War themed and includes clippings concerning battles, naval ships and other weaponry, military maneuvers, political developments, cartoons, and individuals. The scrapbook also holds some ephemera. The loose clippings are principally from the mid-nineteenth century and concern Brooklyn ferries, docks and waterfront. There are also some clippings concerning the Pierreponts, including information about their property, biography, obituaries, and Henry's opposition to the consolidation of Brooklyn and New York City. Newspapers represented include, from Brooklyn, the Daily Advertiser, Daily Eagle, Daily Freeman, Daily Union, Evening Star, and Long Island Star, and from New York, the Dispatch, Enquirer, Herald, Times, and World.
Arrangement
The loose clippings are arranged in rough subject and chronological order.
Loose Clippings (19 folders), 1832-1915, inclusive
Civil War Scrapbook, 1860s, inclusive
Series 8: Diaries, 1797-1888, inclusive
Extent
Scope and Contents
The bulk of the series includes the diaries Henry Evelyn Pierrepont (senior) maintained for the last decade of his life, from 1877 until March 19, 1888, nine days prior to his death. The numbering of the diaries, and an 1855 fragment, suggest that Pierrepont maintained a diary for many decades, but these are not in the collection and are not known to be extant. Each diary covers one calendar year and is numbered consecutively. The entries are handwritten and each diary begins with a one-page timeline of the year's major events.
Daily entries typically include notes on the weather, Pierrepont's activities for the day, and other events of significance to Pierrepont. Though most are brief factual statements, Pierrepont expresses personal opinions about many matters. The daily entries are generally brief and concern the range of Pierrepont's interests: family, finances, commercial activities, civic activities, and politics. Personal notes include such matters as reflections on family deaths and lists of New Year's Day callers on Pierrepont and Pierrepont's calls on others. Pierrepont includes observations on local events, such as the blizzard of March 1888, and on some national events, such as his concern about communism in response to railroad labor strife in the summer of 1877. The diaries include descriptions of his travel, including at least one trip to Europe, in 1878. The series includes a separate log of his travels over four decades.
Miscellaneous documents found in the diaries remain in the series. Among these is an acknowledgement of payment signed by G. Stuart for portraits for William Constable (1797), a letter from Pierrepont to State Senator Kirnan requesting his support in defeating a bill (1884), and an almanac page with information about the Brooklyn Bridge (1884).
Also in the series are typescript transcriptions of extracts from diaries of Hezekiah Beers Pierpont and biographical notes.
Arrangement
Henry Evelyn Pierrepont's diaries are presented first, in chronological order. Miscellaneous material found with a diary is foldered with the diary or in a separate folder immediately following. The final two folders hold the transcribed excerpts from the Hezekiah Beers Pierrepont diaries.
