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Receipt for work performed by enslaved Black female.

File consists of one receipt, in French, for work performed by an enslaved Black female named Maria on a chain gang in New Orleans in 1825. Translation reads "Wages for negress on the chain: The city treasury will pay to Mr. D. Fitch the sum of 11 piastre and 50 cents for forty six days of work by his negress Maria, employed by the public works from August 9 to October 3." The document is signed by David Fitch and Precend Lament [?] and is dated at New Orleans, Oct. 3, 1825.

Attached to the receipt is what appears to be a clipping from the vendor catalogue which listed the item for sale. It reads:
"174. NEGRO CHAIN GANG LABOR RECEIPT. Printed document, in French, signed, one page, oblong small quarto. Nouvelle-Orleans, 1825. Interesting if not gruesome document. Receipt for labor in the chain gang performed by a negress."

Eisen, Sol

Davidson family ephemera : The History of the children in the wood.

The History of the children in the wood, published by Lumsden & Sons, Glasgow. This is a single sheet with eight hand-coloured woodcuts with verses beneath; versions of which circulated in Great Britain and the United States, most often in chapbook form. A note on the back says "This was given to Catharine as a prize at school at Berlin."

Sims family

Handbill for The Public Life of Capt John Brown.

  • SCA357-GA409
  • Collection
  • 1860

One handbill advertising the publication of James Redpath's "The Public Life of Capt John Brown." Redpath and Brown were contemporaries and abolitionists and Redpath wrote this work the year after Brown's execution.

Thayer and Elridge

Reconstruction.

  • SCA415-GA483
  • Collection
  • 1866

Broadside of a poem delivered by Lizzie Doten on September 23, 1866 at Library Hall, Chelsea, titled "Reconstruction." The poem addresses then President Andrew Johnson and criticizes his approach to the South at the end of the American Civil War. She believed that Johnson was too lenient on the South and allowed too much wealth and influence to remain with Southern Confederate politicians. She also criticizes Johnson for being unconcerned with Black suffrage or the rights of Black soldiers who fought for the Union. She ends her poem with the rallying cry "...let the ballot finish what the bayonet has begun."

Doten, Lizzie

Copulations-schein.

File consists of a marriage licence or certificate of marriage between John S. Anthes (Township of Wilmot) and Lydia Catharine Herlan (Town of Berlin).

Rieder and Anthes family

Cook, Jemima : ephemera : valentines.

Three paper lace valentines, possibly handmade:
Paper lace and coloured floral valentine with lift-up flowers hiding three heart-shapes to write messages on. Inside the card is a hand-written poem to the "Belle" of the ball, signed "Valentine"
Paper lace overlay of bird's nest and flowers over second layer with a two-piece embossed lift up figure of a woman with cherub on her shoulder, purple ribbon and coloured floral decoration applied on her skirt, under this is a third layer with a coloured metallic bird flying into pasted-on coloured floral decorations. A gold and white banner is pasted at the bottom of the page, with "A Token of True Love" printed in blue.The back of this card is signed "from Jemima." Maker's name embossed on back: "Meek"
Pink paper folded valentine with embossed gold floral design surrounding pasted-on die-cut flowers and leaves, below this a white and gold banner reading "A Pledge of Love" in blue. Inside the card is signed" Miss Mary Jemima Cook"

Sims family

Ephemera : invitation.

File consists of one invitation for Janie Bowlby to attend a ball. Invitation reads "The Aide-de-Camp in waiting is commanded by Their Excellencies The Governor General and The Countess of Dufferin to request the pleasure of Miss Bowlby's Company at a Ball on Wednesday the 27th of Feb. at 9 o'clock." Also includes accompanying envelope.

Clement Bowlby Family

Best wishes.

Christmas card booklet featuring illustrated lilacs and a "Best Wishes" greeting on the front cover "From Eliza to Uncle Tobias". The booklet contains the lyrics for the hymn "Like a river, glorious".

Schantz Russell Family

Work & play.

File consists of paper doll advertisements. The first is a stand up paper doll of a sheep wearing a dress holding a duster advertising Enameline stove cleaner. The verso reads "Look out for imitations and parties who claim to have something 'just as good.' It is not as good. There's but one Enameline that's the best. For sale by all dealers. Manufactured by J.L. Prescott & Co. 11 Jay Street New York."; a set of six double sided paper dolls with two interchangeable heads, advertising Clark's O.N.T. Spool Cotton. The interiors of the dolls reads "if the child who receives this doll is sent to the store for thread she should ask for Clark's O.N.T. Spool Cotton and see that she gets it. Double Dolls "work and play" 12 in a set. By sending three 2 cent stamps, with name and address, to Clark's O.N.T. Spool Cotton Factory. Newark, N.J. a complete set will be sent by mail be careful to state that the double dolls are wanted."

Correspondence from Thomas H. Johnson, Dept. of Crown lands, Toronto, Ont., May 3, 1881.

Letter from Thomas H. Johnson to Colin Rankin's purchase of the "east half of lot 15 in the 14th [concession] of Papineau, containing 30 1/2 acres" at a rate of 50 cents per acre; a land grant certificate with seal dated June 14, 1881; a typescript reproduction of the text on the certificate; and a typescript description of the land accompanied by a hand drawn sketch.

Rankin, Colin

Marriage to Mary Staebler

Photocopy of newspaper account of the wedding Mary Staebler and Louis Henry Wagner on May 20, 1884. Also included is a wedding invitation.

Wagner Hailer family

Soapine advertisement

Advertisement trade card for Soapine by Kendall Manufacturing Company of Providence Rhode Island and illustrated by Charlotte Perkins Gilman showing a woman from behind dusting figurines that spell out Soapine on a mantel piece. Verso reads "Cleanliness in the house, laundry, kitchen and workshop is best secured by the use of Soapine. All wise people continue to use it after one trial. Kendall Mfg. Co. Established 1827. Providence, R.I."

French Laundry and Soapine advertisement

French Laundry and Soapine advertisement trade card illustrated by Charlotte Perkins Gilman showing a young woman standing in a frame holding a washing board and a box of soap. The frame is held up on either side by two young men standing on upside down washing buckets that read Soapine. "Verso reads ""French Laundry is the best soap ever made for all purposes. It is the oldest popular soap, having outlived all its rivals. It has won its way into public favor solely on its merits, and thousands of families who are now using it would not be without it. One trial with convince you. Soapine is the best article known for the laundry and general household use. Use no soap, sal soda, borax, washing crystals or other preparations with it. For washing dishes, glassware, silverware, milk cans, dairy utensils, windows, marble, paint or oil cloth, and house cleaning, use Soapine. Kendall Mfg. Co. Established 1827 Providence, R.I."""

Soapine advertisement

Soapine advertisement illustrated by Charlotte Perkins Gilman showing a woman hanging laundry out from a wash basket. The laundry on the line spells out "Soapine." Verso reads "Soapine the great dirt killer, will remove dirt of all descriptions! Without injury to hands or fabric. Kendall Mfg. Co. established 1827 Providence, R.I."

Sims, Peter Harvey : ephemera.

  • Birthday party invitation to Peter and Jemima Sims from Mrs. Hilliard, May 6, 1875.
  • Memorial card: William John Roat, died at Berlin, December 23, 1887 (includes envelope).
  • Memorial card: James McFeiggan, died in Galt, May 23, 1888.
  • Memorial card: Harvey James Cook, November 12, 1930.
  • Wedding invitations, 1895-1898.

Sims family

Birthday card.

Handmade birthday card from Orpheus Moyer Schantz to Sophie Schantz. The card has scherenschnitte edges and features calligraphy, drawings of small animals, birds and plants. It reads: "May Happy Returns. Sophie E. Schantz. May 4-'89"

Schantz Russell Family

Mt. Penn Stove Works advertisement

Advertisement trade card for Mt. Penn Stove Works featuring decorative floral illustration surrounding a woman cooking on a range with a caption reading "a complete kitchen always contains a pretty cook and a Penn Esther range." A large line of sizes and a great variety of styles. For sale by G.W. Rinesmith & Sons 114 North Hanover Street, Carlisle, PA. Made by Mt. Penn Stove Works, Reading, Pa."

David's Prize Soap

David's Prize Soap advertisement trade card showing a vital looking woman washing laundry in a washing bucket with David's Prize Soap while a young girl looks in. Looking in through the door way is a sallow looking older woman. The caption reads "Get David's Prize Soap if you want to avoid hard labor and save your health and strength in washing besides you may get a small fortune as a prize into the bargain." "Verso explains that prizes can be won by purchasing David's Prize Soap, including 2 grand pianos."

Universal Clothes Wringer advertisement

Universal Clothes Wringer puzzle advertisement showing a young woman using a clothes wringer while a man looks in from the window. When the advertisement is held up to the light you can see that the man is looking in with a gun while the young woman leans in to kiss a young man and an older woman comes towards them brandishing a broom. As well, a caption on the advertisement becomes clear which reads "Buy the universal clothes wringer."

Lenox Soap advertisement

Die cut Lenox Soap advertisement showing a woman standing next to a washing tub with a large pile of soap suds coming out of it. The advertisement reads "Lenox Soap. Lather from 1 oz in hard water. Lathers freely in hard water."

Soapona advertisement

Soapona trade card advertisement featuring an elephant looking on while two women hang laundry on a line. Verso reads "Saves times, expense and labor. Makes hard water soft. Does not injure the hands or clothes. Makes linen perfectly white. Is a great disinfectant. Each package contains a set of handsome picture cards. Manufactured only by R.W. Bell & Co. 77 to 89 Washington St., and 8 to 20 Beaver St., Buffalo, N.Y."

L. I. Fisk & Co. Soaps pamphlet

Pamphlet advertising L.I. Fisk & Co's Soaps. The cover shows three women washing and hanging out clothes with the caption "The suds is like velvet, I never used a soap like it. The water is settled and I find no grit in the tub. We never had such clothes they are whiter at every washing. L.I. Fisk & Co,'s Soaps for sale by all grocers who look to the interests of their customers by buying pure goods." The interior describes the qualities of the soap and gives examples of clothes washed in their soap and with others. The back cover shows a young woman and a caricature of a Japanese man holding a scroll which reads "All soaps bearing our name are warranted free from any of the many adulterations the best for economy, purity, cleanliness and washing quality of any in the world. L.I. Fisk and Co., Springfield, Mass." There are also testimonials on the back cover which read "It has cured my chapped hands. I'll use no other and keep them so. It is a delight to all in the bath. It is so soft and clean."

Sweeperette advertisement

Die cut card showing five women behind a fence with a caption reading "The look well on the fence! Much better on the other side. This road leads to success used by the million." The verso shows the backs of the women, each of whom are holding a Sweeperette sweeper. Verso reads "always in the push our Sweeperette. Sweeperette Company 76 5th Ave. New York Grand Rapids, Mich."

David's Prize Soap

David's Prize Soap advertisement trade card showing an older woman standing at a washing bucket with a bar of David's Soap while two young women play the piano in another room. It reads "All got by using David's Prize Soap besides the excellent washing it does" as well as a caption under the women at the piano which reads "The prize pianoforte." Verso outlines details regarding incentives to try David's Prize products where users can exchange product wrappers for tickets that can be put toward a list of presents.

The Boston Rivals concert handbill.

  • SCA310-GA346
  • Collection
  • 1891

One handbill advertising a concert of the Boston Rivals. The Boston Rivals were made up of Miss Hamlin, Mrs. Southwick, Mr. Winternitz, and Mr. Conant.

James Pyle's Perline Washing Compound advertisement

Advertisement featuring illustration of young girl holding a dust pan, broom and bucket with a box of James Pyle's Pearline Washing Compound in it titled "My Busy Day." Verso reads "James Pyle's Pearline washing compound the great invention for saving toil & expense without injury to the texture, color, or hands. New York. Front of every package of Pearline should look exactly like this cut, or it is an imitation. Don't use an imitation of anything, much less an imitation of Pyle's Pearline. Peddlers and some unscrupulous grocers will tell you the stuff they offer is "Pearline," "same as Pearline," "or as good as Pearline." IT'S FALSE; Pearline is the Original Washing Compount - has no rival - no equal - never peddled - gives no prizes - but stands on the foundation on which it was reared – MERIT."

New years card.

Handmade New Yeas card from the Schantz family to Sophie Schantz. The card features calligraphy, small drawings of moons and has the numbers of the year 1894 in each corner.. It reads: "To Sophe E. Schantz. Berlin. Ontario. We wish you a happy new year. From Ruth Schantz, Carrie Flagler Schantz,Orpheus Moyer Schantz. Morton Park, Ill."

Schantz Russell Family

New years card.

Handmade New Years card from the Schantz family to Arthur Benjamin Schantz. The card features calligraphy, small drawings of bells and has scherenschnitte edges. It reads: "1894. Wishing you a joyous new year. To Arthur B. Schantz From Ruth, Carrie & Orph."

Schantz Russell Family

Seagram, Joseph Emm, 1841-1919: Canadian Wheelman's Association.

Article "C.W.A. Meet, Waterloo, July 1st and 2nd," Saturday Globe, June 22, 1895: [1]. This article concerns the annual meet of the C.W.A. [Canadian Wheelman's Association?] to be held in Waterloo, Ont. in 1895. Joseph E. Seagram was Honorary President of the Waterloo Bicycle Club and donated a horse as a prize for this meet. The article also includes two images of the Waterloo Bicycle Club Track, as well as portraits of local individuals: D. Hybner, Mayor, Berlin; Simon Snyder, Mayor, Waterloo; Waterloo Bicycle Club officers J.W. Fear, J.M. Scully, Geo. Wegenast, F.G. Hughes, A.H. Snyder, C.W. Wells; also W.G. Roos, C.H. Froelich.

Seagram Family

Book of coupons.

One coupon booklet given to attendees of the World's Woman's Christian Temperance Union convention. All of the coupons in this book have been removed, but a table of contents notes that it included coupons for hotels, dinners and a portrait.

Invitation.

An invitation to an autumn party at Morton Park, the home of Orpheus Moyer Schantz.

Schantz Russell Family

Invitation to farewell meeting.

An invitation to the farewell meeting to delegates and friends attending the Grand International Meetings of W.W.C.T.U. (World's Woman's Christian Temperance Union) and National B.W.T.A. (British Women's Temperance Association). The meeting was held at Exeter Hall in London, England with addresses by Lady Henry Somerset (Isabella Caroline Somerset) and other leading White Ribbon Workers.

Woman's Christian Temperance Union

Invitation to reception at the Mansion House.

One invitation addressed to Miss. E.P. Nichols to a reception at the Mansion House of the Lord Mayor of London (Walter Wilkin) and his wife the Lady Mayoress (Margot Wilkin nee Dale) on June 20, 1895. The reception was for colonial and foreign delegates of the World's Women's Christian Temperance Union.

Saved by Song.

One small folded leaflet printed by the Virginia branch of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union with the short story "Saved by Song" which is noted as being a true story. The story is that of a young woman who had succumbed to a life of sin and was saved by hearing a hymn sung by members of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union.

Woman's Christian Temperance Union

The White Ribbon Hymnal.

One small hymnal of hymns sung by the National British Women's Temperance Association. The hymnal was compiled by Anna Gordon, Assistant Secretary World's Woman's Christian Temperance Union. The hymnal bears a pencil ownership mark of E.P. Nichols, American Delegate.

National British Women's Temperance Association

In memory of Christian Bechler.

A memorial card for Christian Bechler from the Bechler family photo album. The card notes that Christian Bechler died on March 14, 1897 aged 69 years, 2 months, and 6 days.

Bechler family

Ephemera : visiting cards.

Five hand lettered visiting cards of Jennie Moyer, Edmund Warren Moyer, Austin Schantz, and Orpheus Moyer Schantz and F.J. Ottmax. The cards of Edmund and Jennie list them as living at 3823 Langley Ave., Chicago. The card of Orpheus and F.J. Ottmax is inscribed "A Happy New Year 1889."

Schantz Russell Family

New years card.

Handmade New Years card sent to Sophie Schantz. The card has scherenschnitte edges and features calligraphy and a painting of pink flower blossoms by Carrie Schantz. It reads "Of this joyous day. Sophie Schantz. Many happy returns."

Schantz Russell Family

Scrapbook 1.

File consists of a scrapbook compiled by Damaris Smith containing clippings, engravings, stamps and seals, and obituaries and biographies of prominent suffragists, literary, political and social women, some of whom are British.

Smith, Damaris Isabella

Motz, John : banquet menu.

File consists of one menu from a banquet given in honour of John Motz by the Press of Berlin and Waterloo and the Concordia Society on January 31st, 1899.

Motz Family

New Years card.

New Years card given to Etta Lydia Mary White (nee Schantz) from Mr. and Mrs. W.H. Becker.

Schantz Russell Family

Armour & Co. advertisement

Advertisement trade card for Armour's Mince Meat and Canned Meats showing an older woman teaching a group of younger women how to cook. Verso reads "It is admitted by every prudent housekeeper, that our Condensed Mince Meat is equal in every respect to the old-fashioned home-made article. Our well known connection with the beef industry, enables us, to put a Mince Meat on the market second to none. We use only the best and purest ingredients, and it is the universal verdict that our product retains its sweetness longer and goes farther than any other brand. Packaged in 12 oz. (net) cardboard cartons. Enough for two large pies. 2 packages for 25 cents. At all first-class grocery stores. Armour and Company, Chicago."

Conqueror wringer advertisement

Conqueror wringer advertisement showing three women and one young girl ironing clothes titled "Ironing Day." The young girl is seated at a stool holding up a dress in front of a Conqueror wringer. Verso reads "The Conqueror excels all other wrings in having 1. A forged steel spring, tapered and tempered, and the temper not "drawn" by galvanizing. 2. The extension crank, which gives double power, without loss of speed. 3. Composition metal bearings, which neither rot, rust or wear out. 4. Patent solid white rubber rolls, fastened immovably to the shaft. 5. Malleable iron swivel clamps, which fit either round or stationary tubs. Foote & Gaskill dealers in hardware, agricultural implements, also stoves, hollow ware, house furnishing goods, &c. wringers repaired. Hamilton, New York."

Sapolio advertisement

Advertisement trade card for Sapolio showing two women cleaning marble statues with the caption "clean marble with Sapolio." Verso reads "1809 1880 Enoch Morgan's Sons' Sapolio for cleaning & polishing. Hand Sapolio for the toilet and bath. Sapolio being put up in an attractive style some persons think is a fancy article but the fact is that one cake is equal to three cakes of any 'mineral soap' and will do more and better work."

Christmas greetings

Christmas greeting card from Nellie Shoemaker to uncle Tobias Schantz featuring two swallows, holly and a snow covered landscape.

Schantz Russell Family

Tree Ball Washing advertisement

Tree Ball Washing crystal advertisement trade card showing an illustration of three women washing, hanging out, and ironing laundry. The women are accompanied by a dog and a bird in a cage. Verso reads "Nellie - mama, shall I go for the washerwoman, as you have been sick lately and are not able to do the washing? Mother - Oh no, my dear child, you just go to our grocer and get me a large 5 cents package of the Three Ball Washing Crystal, it makes washing so easy that no washwoman is required. Manufactured by C.H. Fischer & Co., New York"

White Mop Wringer Co. advertisement

Advertisement trade card for the White Mop Wringer Company of Fultonville, N.Y. Serving as a business card for representative M.D. Alger. Recto shows a woman using a mop wringer and the verso shows illustrations of two mop wringers, one for family use and the other for hotel use.

Sapolio advertisement

Advertisement trade card for Sapolio showing a woman scrubbing a tub while a baby bathes in a smaller tub with the caption "clean baths with Sapolio." Verso reads "1809 1880 Enoch Morgan's Sons' Sapolio for cleaning & polishing. Hand Sapolio for the toilet and bath. Sapolio being put up in an attractive style some persons think is a fancy article but the fact is that one cake is equal to three cakes of any 'mineral soap' and will do more and better work."

Sapolio advertisement

Advertisement trade card for Sapolio showing a woman scrubbing a tin pan while a young girl shows a cat its reflection in another. Caption reads "clean tins with Sapolio." Verso reads "1809 1880 Enoch Morgan's Sons' Sapolio for cleaning & polishing. Hand Sapolio for the toilet and bath. Sapolio being put up in an attractive style some persons think is a fancy article but the fact is that one cake is equal to three cakes of any 'mineral soap' and will do more and better work."

Bon Ami advertisement

Advertisement trade card showing a girl holding the tail of a cat as it tries to scratch a bird in a cage. The caption reads "Cats can but Bon Ami can not scratch for it lacks grit." Verso reads "Bon Ami is a modern improvement in the list of household necessities, doing the work of a metal polish, a scouring soap and all powders used for cleaning purposes (not for washing of clothes). It will clean anything cleanable and polish anything that can be polished. It contains no grit to scratch or acid to corrode; neither is there any alkali to redden or roughen the hands; on the contrary, it leaves them soft. It is always used in the form of a lather, which is applied to the surface to be cleaned. It requires so little water for this that slops and muss are avoided. It is made of the best and finest materials, and is so constituted that while it is too fine to scratch, it is coarse enough to clean. Coarser cleaners gradually and surely wear out the article cleaned, but Bon Ami removes the dirt without injuring or wearing off the surface. Don't fail to try the sample. Read carefully directions with each package. For sale by all grocers. The Bon Ami Company, 66 Maiden Lane, New York City."

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