New York: April 1, 1724.
Price: $7,500.00
Unbound. Handwritten document. Approximately 7.75" x 4.5". Neatly and professionally encapsulated in transparent Japan paper, else fine. The recto is a 1724 invoice from Alida Davis to Peter Barberie, Chief Warden of Trinity Church for the delivery of 16 loads of shell lime. Davis has made her mark indicating that she had received payment. Docketed as paid on the verso. Shell lime was made by burning or calcining the shells of shellfish to use in mortar for bricks.
Peter Barberie was daily involved with the expansion of the then small, historic Church in Manhattan in 1696; and expanded continuously between 1713 and 1737. There is little reason to think the shell lime wasn't used for continuing construction and maintenance of the Church. The building burned in the Great New York City Fire of 1776, and was subsequently rebuilt on two occasions. Columbia (then known as King's College) was founded on the grounds of the Church, and the cemetery houses the remains of many notables, including Alexander Hamilton. Early American document from Colonial New York displaying the presence of a woman in business.
Item #629774
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