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Freeman Clarke banking papers

 Collection
Identifier: D.202

Scope and Contents note

A collection of over 1,900 cancelled checks drawn mainly upon upstate New York banks, 1845 through 1873 and 1882. They relate to the business activities of Freeman Clarke of Rochester.

The checks not only give an insight into nineteenth century business practices, but also reveal the decorative arts of the period. Many have engravings of cartouches and vignettes of historical and commercial scenes, including such subjects as ships, railroads, farming scenes, liberty, horses, eagles, and portraits. Some checks have two and even three such engravings. A few have the name of the printer, a number have revenue stamps from the Civil War period and later. Some of the checks are signed by locally prominent people.

Also with the collection are about 275 banking letters of protest from 1853. Most are stampless covers bearing post office cancellations from various towns in New York state.

Creator

Dates

  • Creation: 1838-1873, 1882

Language of Materials

English

Extent

1.25 cubic feet (3 boxes)

Access

The Freeman Clarke Banking papers are open for research use. Researchers are advised to contact the Rare Books Special Collections & Preservation Department prior to visiting. Upon arrival, researchers will also be asked to fill out a registration form and provide photo identification.

Use

In consultation with a curator, reproductions may be made upon request. Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from a curator. Researchers are responsible for determining any copyright questions.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift of Allen Paine Mills, January 1985. Mr. Mills is the great-grandson of Freeman Clarke.

Preferred Citation

[Item title, item date], Freeman Clarke Banking Papers, D.202, Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation, River Campus Libraries, University of Rochester

Related Archival Materials

Useful in conjunction with identifying the banks represented by the checks is: William H. Dillistin, compiler. Historical Directory of the Banks of the State of New York. New York, New York State Bankers Association, 1946.

Other letters of protest can be found in the Freeman Clarke Family Papers, call number D.31, box 21, folders 15 through 23. Further information on Freeman Clarke and his business activities can be found in the above collection and its register.

Title
Freeman Clarke banking papers
Author
Finding aid prepared by Rare Books and Special Collections staff
Date
undated
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Library Details

Part of the Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation Library

Contact:
Rochester NY 14627-0055 USA