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TABLE OF CONTENTSInventory |
Guide to the Hampton Agricultural Society Records
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Descriptive Summary | ||
| Creator | Hampton Agricultural Society | |
| Title | Hampton Agricultural Society Records, | |
| Dates: | 1876-1879 | |
| Abstract: | This collection consists of some of the records accumulated by the Society between the years 1875-l880. | |
| Extent: | 1 box, .5 cubic feet | |
| Identification: | H-1 | |
| Location: | The material is located in the Archives at Queens Library. | |
Historical/Biographical Note
The Hampton Agricultural Society was organized on August 30, 1875 to serve the Suffolk County towns of Easthampton and Southampton. Its first officers were Orlando Houd, president, Addison M. Cook, secretary and Edward A, Hildreth, treasurer. Each year the Society sponsored a fair and exhibition at which prizes were awarded for best entries in livestock and agricultural produce. There were also exhibits of needle and artistic work. The headquarters of the Society and the place in which it held its exhibits was Bridgehampton. Though the specific date has not been determined as yet, the Society probably disbanded sometime around 1884
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Scope and Content Note
It is not very large, ca. 35 items and the records reflect only incidentally on the activities of the Society since there is no large amount of correspondence or any other series. Among the records in this collection are the By-Laws of the Society (in manuscript form and not bound). Apparently, the particular copy in hand may have been used as a draft copy since occasional corrections or notes appear on some of the pages. Among other things, these by-laws explain in detail the various classes for which premiums were awarded (Class 1-Cattle; Class 2 -Horses; Class 3 Sheep; Class 4 -Swine; Class 5 -Poultry; Class 6 -Articles for the table such as butter, bread, etc,); Class 7 -Grains; Class 8 Vegetables; Class 9 -Fruits; Class 10 -Implements and Utensils; Class 11 -Flowers. These were the major classes, there may have been others. An interesting sidelight is that for the fair of 1876 an exhibit of antique objects (old Bibles; old books, jugs, examples of continental money, etc.) was held to commemorate the centennial of American independence.
The Papers also contain 5 Judges Books in which were recorded the names of various winners. These books are available only for class 2, Class 5, Class 6, Class 10, Class 12. Information found in them is very meager. These volumes are basically in notebook format. None of these books is dated. There are also fragments of perhaps one or two Judges Books probably for 1878 or 1879.
Also included in these records is an Entry Book in which are listed the names of the individuals who entered the various classes of competition. It is dated 1876. Only a portion of this volume has been utilized, most pages being blank. All told, there are about 350 entries in it, and each entry contains only a minimal amount of information, amounting simply to the owner's name and the village or town from which he came. Among the communities mentioned are Water Mills, Sag Harbor, Southold and Bridgehampton. There are also fragments of two or three other Entry Books for other years (only one has been positively identified as 1878).
There is only a very minimal amount of General Correspondence. The few letters that do exist are usually in reference to inquiries addressed to the Society concerning the days on which fairs were to be held. Occasionally, there are one or two copies of letters sent out by the secretary in answer to particular inquiries. The Papers also contain some secretary's and treasurer's reports and related matter, as well as some printed membership application forms.
Among the miscellaneous but interesting items are a printed announcement concerning the publication of the first number of the "Journal of the American Agricultural Association”; and an advertisement broadside describing balloon ascensions. This advertisement was issued by James K. Johnson of Pensacola, Florida, and was, no doubt, sent to the officers of the Society in the hope that the latter would avail themselves of the services of the aeronauts in the employment of Mr. Johnson.
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Administrative Information
Preferred Citation
Published citations should take the following form:
Creator of item, date of item (if known), identification of item, if a photograph its control number. The Hampton Agricultural Society Records, Archives at Queens Library, Queens Borough Public Library.
Access Restrictions
Open for research without restrictions. Manuscripts are only available in the Archives at Queens Library, please call (718) 990-0770 for hours. Manuscript users will be required to complete the division's Manuscript Usage Form and deposit their photograph identification or Queens Borough Public Library card with a staff member. The identification will be returned to the user after she/he has returned the material. Manuscript users will deposit all their personal items behind the reference desk. Manuscript users must use the division's loose sheets of paper for note taking. To reiterate, no pen of any type is permitted. Paper and a pencil are available upon request. Manuscript users may be required to use special handling procedures depending on the conditions of the material.
Use Restrictions
Permission to publish materials must be obtained in writing from the:
- Archives at Queens Library
- Queens Borough Public Library
- 89-11 Merrick Boulevard
- Jamaica, NY 11432
- Phone: (718) 990-0770.
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Access Points
Subject Organizations:
- Hampton Agricultural Society
Subject Places:
- Suffolk County (N.Y.)
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Inventory
[The following section contains a detailed listing of the materials in the collection.]
