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TABLE OF CONTENTSInventory |
Guide to the David William Skidmore Personal Papers
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Descriptive Summary | ||
| Creator | Skidmore, David William | |
| Title | David William Skidmore Personal Papers, | |
| Dates: | 1825-1908 | |
| Abstract: | The papers in this collection are by and large the personal papers of David W. Skidmore. Nevertheless, it should be noted that interspersed throughout are documents which bear the names of some other family members, and, indeed, names which appear to be foreign to the family. In this latter case, it can be assumed, however, that they were in possession of Skidmore probably for business reasons. | |
| Extent: | 2 boxes, .7 cubic feet | |
| Identification: | S-16 | |
| Location: | The material is located in the Archives at Queens Library. | |
Historical/Biographical Note
The Skidmore Family was an old one on Long Island. David W. Skidmore and his immediate predecessors came from an area called Union Place, a section which probably straddled the old townships of Flushing and Jamaica, perhaps considered more the latter than the former. At any rate they were active in Jamaica Village.
A genealogy of the family, compiled and published in 1911 by Emily C. Hawley, and some obituaries published in the "Long Island Democrat" provide some brief background on David W. Skidmore and some of his immediate family.
Mr. Skidmore was the son of John and Elizabeth Allen Skidmore. He was born in Jamaica on Mar 28, 1808 and died there on Oct 19, 1878 and was interred in the cemetery of Grace Episcopal Church. He was married first to Elizabeth Ward and later to Mary Smith. He had at least one child, namely, William Allen Skidmore who was born Apr 6, 1836 and who married Maria Hewlett Wooley, also of Jamaica, in 1875. Upon their death, they too were interred in Grace Episcopal Church in Jamaica Village. It is not known in what type of business David W. Skidmore or his father or his son were involved. A few of the papers of the latter two are found in the collection.
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Scope and Content Note
The papers in this collection are by and large the personal papers of David W. Skidmore. Nevertheless, it should be noted that interspersed throughout are documents which bear the names of some other family members, and, indeed, names which appear to be foreign to the family. In this latter case, it can be assumed, however, that they were in possession of Skidmore probably for business reasons.
The vast majority of documents are financial in character, being for the most part receipted bills for goods purchased or services rendered. Bills have been submitted by firms in Brooklyn, Manhattan, some other parts of Queens, as well as those located in Jamaica. Many bills were submitted by dry goods firms, and grain and flour dealers. A few items are receipts for tuition payments at schools, subscriptions to newspapers or the like. In the absence of knowledge of Mr. Skidmore’s occupation in life, we can only assume that all papers are basically personal and not related to any business in which he may have been engaged, no doubt, a correct assumption by and large.
As explained elsewhere below, in one or two instances when it was obvious that papers at hand were those really not of David W. Skidmore, but rather another Individual, these were arranged separately. The papers of David W. Skidmore have been arranged chronologically as follows.
Financial Documents, 1830s – 1879, undated, it should be noted that there are several documents in the 1830s and 1860s bearing the name of John Skidmore; the file for 1863-64 and 1868 contains a few documents evidently resulting from Mr. Skidmore's appointment as executor of the estate of Phebe and Peggy Allen; the file for 1875-1879 contains one or two documents addressed to Mr. David W. Skidmore’s estate; the file of the l870s contains a few documents addressed to W.A. Skidmore; the undated folder contains an unidentified small photograph and a copy of an 1814 financial note involving Daniel K. Allen and John Skidmore; perhaps a contemporary copy, or one made a few years later. In some cases, dates are only approximate due to Illegibility.
Letters Received there are only some 25 Items in this file, a very few of which are not letters but miscellaneous documents. Some do not carry Mr. Skidmore*s name on them, but are presumed to be his. Items are dated in the 1840s, for the most part, with a very few for the 1850s and 1860s.
William A. Skidmore Papers, because as stated above, a few documents throughout the collection bear the names of other Skidmore members besides David W. Skidmore, as well as non-Skidmore names, these have been set aside because of their relative large quantity, and because it was obvious they were not David Skidmore’s papers. These documents then are found within, in this series, as well as that which follows.
Virtually all dated in the 1880s and primarily receipted bills. Many bear names other than Skidmore. These are apparently William A. Skidmore’s papers because of their late date. Included is a 1900 newspaper clipping concerning George W. Skidmore. ca. 50 items
Papers Relating to the Fleury Family the exact relationship of the Fleurys to the Skidmores is not known. However, a document dated Aug 1, 1839 indicates that a member of the Fleury family was a tenant in some property owned by David W. Skidmore. More importantly, another document dated Feb 1, 1837 indicates that John Skidmore was the guardian "for the Heirs of B. Fleury’s estate..." No doubt, it is for this reason that these papers are found among those of Skidmore.
Among names most frequently mentioned are Ann, James, and Robert Fleury, though there are a few others. Virtually all documents are receipted bills for materials supplied or services rendered. It is assumed that the Fleury family was from the Jamaica area though some documents indicate they lived in Manhattan at least for a while. The documents range in date from the 1820s to 1840s, undated.
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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 David William Skidmore Personal Papers, 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 Names:
- Skidmore, David William
Subject Places:
- Queens (New York, N.Y.)
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Inventory
[The following section contains a detailed listing of the materials in the collection.]
