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TABLE OF CONTENTSInventory |
Guide to the John C. Riker Papers
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Descriptive Summary | ||
| Creator | Riker, John C. | |
| Title | John C. Riker Papers, | |
| Dates: | 1836-1857 | |
| Abstract: | The Riker Papers consist primarily of business papers with but a small percentage of personal papers. They measure approximately a little less than two cubic feet consisting of about 1300 items, all loose documents with but three or four volumes. These are dated principally in the l840s and 1850s with but some minor exceptions. No one group or series seems to appear to be totally complete. Though efforts were made to group documents into their proper series, this was not always possible, and it is quite likely that a few documents may not be placed in their proper category. There is also a Miscellaneous Series for those relatively few documents which do not appear to belong In specifically named series. | |
| Extent: | 4 boxes, 2 cubic feet | |
| Identification: | R-12 | |
| Location: | The material is located in the Archives at Queens Library. | |
Historical/Biographical Note
John C. Riker (fl. ca.l830s-l860s) was by profession a bookbinder, bookseller and book publisher and had a store at a number of different locales in Manhattan in the 1840s and 1850s. Various city directories of the period list his place of business at such addresses as 24 Frankfort Street, 315 Broadway, 129 Fulton Street and 15 Ann Street. Though one directory gives a Manhattan address as his place of residence, for the most part Brooklyn is listed, more specifically, 146 Columbia Street or 319 Henry Street. According to one document in the collection, it would seem that for a brief period he was in partnership with another individual, Mr. William Thorne.
Little background information on Riker has been located. It is known that he was married, and that his Wife's maiden name was probably Culverswell. He also had three daughters, Elizabeth R., Rachel, and Lizzie or Eliza.
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Scope and Content Note
The Riker Papers consist primarily of business papers with but a small percentage of personal papers. They measure approximately a little less than two cubic feet consisting of about 1300 items, all loose documents with but three or four volumes. These are dated principally in the l840s and 1850s with but some minor exceptions. No one group or series seems to appear to be totally complete. Though efforts were made to group documents into their proper series, this was not always possible, and it is quite likely that a few documents may not be placed in their proper category. There is also a Miscellaneous Series for those relatively few documents which do not appear to belong In specifically named series.
The business papers reflect not only on Mr. Riker’s career In the book or publishing field, but also shed some light on his real estate dealings or holdings, especially in the 9th Ward of Kings County, and in Elizabethtown or Patterson in New Jersey. Indeed, real estate documents form a considerable part of this collection.
Personal papers consist principally of letters from his daughters, especially while they were away from home studying in Flushing and Jamaica, and these will shed some minor insight into the educational scene of that period.
The collection has been divided Into the following sub-groups: PUBLISHING PAPERS, REAL ESTATE PAPERS, PERSONAL PAPERS, MISCELLANEOUS DOCUMENTS.
Each of the above groups and the various series within each of them will be described in some detail in this Inventory.
PUBLISHING PAPERS A sizeable portion of this collection, these publishing papers consist of a number of varied documents, such as letters, copyright notices, and insurance policies. However, relatively few specific publications are alluded to, and these usually in a cursory fashion.
Rental Leases the overwhelming majority of these leases or allied documents deal with the rental of space to conduct his business at 19 Ann Street dated 1850s ca.30 items.
Insurance Policies from a number of different insurance companies, such as the New York Fire and Marine Insurance Co., the Mohawk Valley Insurance Co., and the St. Mark’s Fire Insurance Co. At least three or four different premises are covered, such as 15 Ann St., 129 Fulton Street, and 22-24 Frankfort Street, and one also mentions his home at 146 Columbia Street where the policy covered "furniture in Boxes Including Pictures stored in the Brick Building...” Though wordings differ from policy to policy, the usual format includes the phrase that the policy covers "tools, implements, stocks and fixtures as a Bookbinder, Bookseller and Stationer, including stereotype, steel and copper plate Engravings,and on his interest in books bound and in sheets and on books, stationery and engravings and stock held by him…". Dated ca. 1848-1856 ca.35 items
Author Agreements these documents can broadly be termed agreements or contracts or similar documents with various authors or other concerned individuals for the publishing of various books. A few documents make no mention of Riker but rather of other publishers, while other agreements apparently deal only with the aspect of providing "stereotype plates for the said book…" No one author or book is mentioned with any frequency. Dated ca. 1848-1854 ca. 35 items
Cobbs School Books letters, memoranda, agreements and similar documents relating to the publication of a number of school books written by Mr. Lyman Cobb (Cobbs New Readers and Spellers). Mr.Riker is usually mentioned in his capacity as a bookseller. Many of the letters or documents are addressed to or concern other publishers or individuals rather than Riker who evidently held copy right on some of the Cobb volumes. Apparently, since Cobb died sometime in the late 1849, some names of authors who were his successors may be mentioned as well. Dated ca. 1847-1851 ca. 30 items
Mrs. C.A. Gildersleeve Letters, with a very occasional other type document, from a Hartford, Connecticut writer, Mrs. C. A. Gildersleeve, to Riker, relative to the publication of her book, Boy In Blue. There is a slight possibility that other books by her may be the subject of some letters, but this is not always clear. Dated ca. 1864-1865 ca. 36 items
Thomas Jefferson Papers letters, memoranda, and what appears to be a sheet or two of a draft dealing with the publication of a book on the Papers of Thomas Jefferson. Three letters and a memorandum are from H.A. Washington, a descendant of George Washington. In some cases letters are addressed not to Riker but to Messrs. Taylor and Maury, perhaps another publisher or bookselling firm. ca. 1853 ca. 10 items
John G. Chapman Correspondence between Riker and Mr. John C. Chapman, a London bookseller, regarding sales of certain books, and allied matters. In one letter Riker informs Chapman not to send him novels as he does "not deal in books of this character". In another, Chapman states to Riker "If I can serve you in any way in the matter of engravings I shall be glad to do so". Several invoices are also included in this file. These usually list about a dozen book titles shipped by Chapman to Riker. Dated 1850 22 items
Darton and Company Letters, with an occasional allied document, from an English publishing firm, Darton and Co. written to William Thome. Thorne was probably for a brief period, a partner of Riker's. By and large an "Opal" is referred to, and it is not clear if this was a title of a book, or, most likely, a type of plate used In engraving or printing. Dated 1848 9 items
Copyright Notices affidavits attesting to the fact that various works were deposited In the (Court?) of the Southern District of New-York In conformity with an Act of Congress, entitled "An Act to amend the several Acts respecting copyrights”. Also included are certificates of "Transfer” Involving the G. P. Putnam Publishing firm. These transfers usually concern the right of publishing a book. Among some of the books mentioned on these various documents are The Life and Labors of St. Augustine. A Harmony of the Gospels. A Journey to Iceland. and Garden Walks with the Poets. Dated principally in the ca.25 items 1850s with a few l840
Smithsonian Institute Receipts receipts signed by the Librarian of Congress (in a very few Instances signed by the Librarian of the Smithsonian Institute) for having received books from Mr. Riker according to provisions of “An Act to establish the ‘Smithsonian Institute’…”. The Act specified that "the author or proprietor of any book” who secured a copyright had to make such a deposit. Dated principally 1852 ca. 16 items
Financial Documents consisting essentially of promissory notes and receipted bills, the documents in this series seldom spell out specifics as to with what they are concerned. This is especially true in regard to the promissory notes where at the most, a name is given and nothing more. Many of the notes involve the firm of Grossman and Willetts. Some bills are for "knives", no doubt used in the course of bookbinding or allied activity; others will be for the expenses "of collecting notes", while a very few make some mention of specific titles or kinds of books, such as “Watts Works", "London Editions", or so forth. Dated principally 1848, for the bills and 1851 and 1856-57 for the promissory notes ca.l75 items
Miscellaneous a small but very varied series, two small volumes are also found in it. The two are virtually unused. One lists a few titles and some expenses connected with either publishing or selling them, while the other is also in the nature of an account book listing some expenses for postage, consignment, etc. Again both volumes are virtually unused. Among the other documents found are an Agreement between Riker, William Thorne, and John C. Shryock forming “a Copartnership in the Bookselling and publishing business in the City of New York...under the name firm and style of ‘Riker Thorne and Co.’” (dated Jan 6, 1854); several court documents and affidavits; an apprenticeship indenture involving a seventeen year old boy apprenticed to learn "the art, trade and mystery of … book binding"(dated 1851); a list of several pages listing the titles of various books (undated); a very few letters and what appears to be a draft (ca.60-70 pages) of a book dealing with the Civil War (undated.) ca. 55 items
REAL ESTATE PAPERS These papers comprise at least half of the collection, and are composed essentially of real estate deeds, mortgages, or similar type documents. Though it is difficult to determine with complete accuracy, It would seem that Mr. Riker was a co partner in real estate developing, or, at any rate, purchased real estate or had some interest in it.
The series has been divided geographically into six areas of concentration, but only the first two have any depth or quantity to them. The areas, whose names are derived largely from the way they were referred to on documents, are Lefferts Park in Kings County’s Ninth Ward; Patterson-Elizabeth in New Jersey; Eighth Ward in Kings County; and West Flushing. However, there are two other areas for which we cannot get too specific; one Is in or near a town called Chamberling?, the other in or near the Town of Coldwater, Michigan. The items In these last two series consist only of letters.
Lefferts Park, Kings County, Ninth Ward this is the most extensive grouping of real estate papers, consisting of about 375 documents. Most documents either have the designation of "Lefferts Park (once the old Lefferts Park) or Clover Hill” on them, but apparently they were one and the same area, or better stated, Lefferts Park was carved out of Clover Hill. Essentially, Lefferts Park was bordered by Lewis, Bedford, Greene and Putnam avenues, or other nearby streets, and was developed by an incorporated body called the Lefferts Park Association, with Riker one of its principal movers.
Acts a draft of "An Act to Incorporate Lefferts Park Association", as well as a draft of “An Act to amend an act entitled an Act to Incorporate Lefferts Park Association passed July 11th,1853”. Also included is what appears to be a rough copy or draft of the first report of the Association. Four individuals besides Riker are mentioned in the act of Incorporation, namely, Nathaniel P. Hosock?, Hoswell Graves, Samuel D. Wilmot and E.J.? Danforth.
Articles of Agreement most of these agreements are identically printed forms and involve a number of different individuals and concern.: specific lots which they were selling. Dated. 1853 ca.22 items
Advertisement printed map depicting Clover Hill section and the parcels in the Lefferts Park Development to be sold. An adjacent map shows the development in relation to its Ideation as part of the City of Brooklyn, while the verso bears a printed letter dated Jul 26,1847 from auctioneers Van Antwerp and Nine calling attention to the fact that "The property alluded to, is the Lefferts Farm...being about 2 3/4 miles from the Fulton Ferry,...”
Maps four maps showing the lots involved for sale, two of which bear the imprint of two different auctioneers. Dated ca. 1849
Publications there are three small publications in this series titled as follows: ORDER IN WHICH THE 900 VALUABLE BUILDING LOTS SITUATE IN THE 9th WARD OF THE CITY OF BROOKLYN WILL BE SOLD BY JAMES COLE, AUCTIONEER, ON TUESDAY, JUNE 26th, 1849...; ORDER OF SALE OF 875 BUILDING LOTS SITUATE IN THE 9th WARD, OF THE CITY OF BROOKLYN, TO BE MADE BY ANTHONY J. BLEECKER, AUCTIONEER. ON TUESDAY, OCT. 23rd, 1849; and REPORT OF THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON PARKS RELATIVE TO LAYING OUT A NEW PARK IN THE UPPER PART OF THE CITY. The last item is dated 1852 and deals with Manhattan's Central Park.
Real Estate Deeds, Bonds, and Similar Documents these documents refer to the acquiring of lots, mortgages on them, and similarly related activities. Dated. 1850s ca.70 items
Specifications, Bids and Agreements These documents concern themselves with the erecting of an iron railing or similar construction at the development site, and are essentially either proposals or bids put out by certain contractors, and specifications for doing the work involved. Dated. 1855-1856 ca.23 items
Communications With Government Officials one of the two communications herein is from Riker as President of the Lefferts Park Association to the Commissioners to Select and locate Ground for Public Parks in the City of Brooklyn, and was probably was a copy retained by him. Riker, on behalf of the trustees of the Association offers to donate land within the development to the City of Brooklyn. It is undated. The other communication is dated Mar 21, 1859 but is not signed and was probably a copy or draft of a petition. It is addressed to the Senate and Assembly of the State of New York and begins with the words, "The undersigned, owners of property on and about Lefferts Park... remonstrate against the passage of the Law to amend the act incorporating Lefferts Park Association”.
City Tax Bills submitted by the Collector of Taxes and Assessments of the City of Brooklyn. Though the majority are addressed to Riker, occasionally another name is indicated. A few bills are blank, but the verso has been used to write down some notes. All or practically all bills have been receipted for having received payment Dated ca.1847-1857 ca.65 items
Miscellaneous Receipts and Bills the majority of these documents are receipts for payments due on bonds, assessments, and similar, evidently from owners of some of the lots or principal shareholders. Dated principally in the ca.70 items raid 1850s
Kings County Supreme Court Documents the litigation represented by these documents is not clear, but evidently did involve the real estate development. Most of the documents are summonses or complaints, these filed in the Supreme Court of Kings County. Riker’s name often appears as one of the defendants. Dated. ca. 1858-1860 ca.50 items
Miscellaneous Documents included are a few memoranda, letters, and notes. Undated and 1850s ca. 30 Items
Patterson and Elizabeth Townships, New Jersey Smaller than the Lefferts Park grouping, the documents in this series total about 120 in number. They have been divided into geography, that is, whether they pertain to Patterson or Elizabeth, but rather, into types of documents. It was not always possible to determine as to which area a particular document referred to, though it would seem most deal with the Patterson area. It is also possible that in a very few other Instances, other parts of the State may be referred to.
Deeds, Bonds and Similar Documents this is the largest series, and the documents in it refer to the acquiring of land, mortgages and similarly related activities. Mr. Riker's name is mentioned on virtually all the documents. Dated. in the 1830s and l840s ca.55 Items
Map one printed map titled "Map of 126 Parcels of Land in the Town of Paterson, N.J. being the Van Saun Estate". A cartouche in the upper left-hand corner depicts a country house with fences and well. Map bears imprint of P.A. Mesier, Lithographer at 28 Wall Street in New York City. It is not dated. Also another printed map titled "Map of Passaic Falls Lots, Paterson, N.J." No date or printer on it.
Financial Documents tax bills, receipts for mortgage payments, promissory notes, and similar documents comprise this series. Dated principally in the 1830s and the 1850s ca.30 items
Miscellaneous Documents several letters, two small printed pamphlets describing Patterson, and a few memoranda form the major portion of this small series. Dated 1830s-1850s ca.25 Items
Eighth Ward, Kings County the area referred to in this small series appears to have been bordered approximately by 18th and 19th Streets and 8th and 9th Avenues.
Miscellaneous Documents included are one or two sketches of the lots Involved; two real estate deeds involving Riker and Mr. and Mrs. Clement Davison; and articles of agreement regarding the furnishing of "all the materials, and do all the work necessary to grade and pave Eighteenth Street in the eighth Ward…” Dated 1850s 7 items
West Flushing (Corona) the area referred to in this small series was located in West Flushing, or present day Corona.
Miscellaneous Documents included is a small map titled "Map of Valuable Building Lots at West Flushing situate upon Newtown Avenue and the Rail-Road (dated 1853); three receipted bills for such expenditures as school taxes, cutting wood and the like; (dated 1853 and undated); one or two memoranda listing "Lots Sold” or amounts of mortgages (undated); and an agreement between Riker and J. A. Anderson regarding the latter’s renting from Riker of "the House and Land at West Flushing formerly occupied by Jona Randall…” Dated Feb 3, 1836 ca. 12 items
J. H. Shryock Letters these letters to Riker from a J. H. Shryock at a place called Chamberllng? are difficult to decipher at times due to poor handwriting. They concern themselves exclusively with financial matters. All make mention of notes, monies due, and the like, and quite often are very agitated in tone. It would seem that land is Involved and the payment of debts on It, and the possible use of some of Riker’s "Plates” as guarantee or collateral. Dated. 1856 ca. 25 items
William Welling, C.P. Benton and Riker Correspondence among these letters are a few miscellaneous documents all of which apparently pertain to land situated in the town of Coldwater, Michigan. Some letters are written by Benton and Welling to Riker, a few others between Welling and Benton. For the most part, discussions are financial in character dealing with amounts due on various notes. It also appears, judging from one letter, that the Welling family was related to Riker on his wife’s side, the Cronmillers. Dated principally 1848 ca. 25 items
Miscellaneous a notebook, virtually unused, labelled “Real Estate Etc. Owned by John C. Riker”. Only about a dozen pages have been utilized, these very briefly listing lots purchased. Some of the headings used are "Carrick Lots", “Hamilton County Land"; and "Tompkins Lot”. Earlier entry appears to be around 1836, latest about 1852.
PERSONAL PAPERS consist of two series, namely, Letters from Daughters and Miscellaneous Documents. Neither series is large In quantity.
Letters From Daughters the majority of the letters are addressed to Mr. and Mrs. Riker from their daughter Elizabeth R., and deal for the most part with her school life away from home. They are either from Jamaica (though no school is specified, it was in all probability, Union Hall Academy) or from Flushing where St. Ann’s Hall is the school specified. Most of her letters describe events at the school In typical school girl fashion; her longing for her parents to pick her up for the weekend so that she can spend some time with them in Brooklyn; concern for family matters; or similar.
Some other letters are from daughter Rachel, a student at St. Ann’s Hall, and Lizzie or Eliza. In the latter’s case it does not appear that she was a student, and her letters are written from Baltimore and Brooklyn, and a few addressed to her grand parents rather than parents. Her letters are the later dated ones and they deal with vacation travel; family health; and similar personal matters. Most letters, especially the earlier dated ones, have conjugate address leaves, these usually being Ann Street in Manhattan or Jay Street in Brooklyn. The letters range in date from 1840 – 1852, undated.
Miscellaneous Documents this Series includes such items as about eight newspaper clips on various topics; three receipted bills for food items; certificates of membership in the Brooklyn Athenaeum and Reading Room of the New York Historical Society; three certificates attesting to the fact that Riker rented the house at 319 Henry Street "to be occupied by him as a private dwelling place”, a few memoranda regarding the purchasing of some plants; and a brief note addressed by a friend to Mrs. Riker. Dated 1850s-1860s ca. 50 items
MISCELLANEOUS DOCUMENTS This small sub-group has been formed simply because it is not clear as to which of the previous (if any) sub-groups documents in it belong.
Court Documents affidavits, notices and related documents which apparently involve a suit by some of Riker’s creditors. Specific court documents usually have been issued by the Marine Court of New York City. Dated ca. 1858-1859 ca. 25 items
Promissory Notes these notes follow the usual pattern of such notes in which one individual promises to pay another a specified sum of money within a specified period of time. Several involve the noted publisher of city directories, John P. Trow. There are at least a dozen or more other names found on the notes. Though most of these notes involve Mr. Riker as the individual promising to pay, several others involve him as the one to be paid. Some do not involve Riker at all. There are also a very few receipts in this file. Dated principally 1856-1857 ca. 75 items
Miscellaneous Documents included are such items as two sketches of profiles for some bridge trusses; two letters from Judge Lewis of Philadelphia; a printed form issued by the United States Internal Revenue for 1865 annual taxes; a composition book (only three pages utilized) containing a composition on "the origin and settlement of the Grecian States…”; printed articles of incorporation and by-laws of the Mississippi and Iowa Central Railroad; a mortgage; and some memoranda. Mainly undated, but with some in the 1850s and one item, a receipted bill, dated as late as 1888 ca. 35 items
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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 John C. Riker Papers, Archives at Queens Library, Queens Borough Public Library.
Provenance
The Riker Papers were acquired by the Flushing Historical Society probably in the years between the mid 1930s and the mid 1950s. In early 1980 they were donated to the 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 Names:
- Riker, John C.
Subject Places:
- New York (N.Y.)
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Inventory
[The following section contains a detailed listing of the materials in the collection.]
