St. Louis Mercantile Library

M-91: John L. & James C. Sutton Blacksmith Collection

 

HISTORY: John L. and James C. Sutton were St. Louis blacksmiths in the early years of the frontier town's growing importance. Thus, their account ledgers of services rendered is a veritable "Who's Who" of St. Louis's political and economic elite. The ledgers were an early donation to the Mercantile Library.

SCOPE: The collection consists of 3 ledgers and 1 day book containing accounts from 1820-1843. They include such famous St. Louis "customers" as William Carr Lane (first mayor); Henry Shaw (botanist); Louis A. Benoist; Daniel D. Page; Hamilton R. Gamble; J.B.C. Lucas; Alexander McNair (first Missouri governor); Henry Von Phul; Silas Bent; Pierre Chouteau; Edward Bates (politician); George Caleb Bingham (artist); John O'Fallon; Wilson Price Hunt, and many others.

HOLDINGS: 4 volumes

ACCESS: Special Collection M-91 is housed in two document boxes; due to fragility, the ledgers may not be photocopied, but some pages may be digitally scanned or photographed.

In observance of security procedures, certain services may not be available shortly before the daily closing time.
Direct questions or comments regarding this site to
The Saint Louis Mercantile Library at the University of Missouri-St. Louis

Charles Brown
Reference Services,
St. Louis Subject Specialist
314.516.7243
cbrown@umsl.edu