Oct 02, 2012 - Sale 2287

Sale 2287 - Lot 380

Price Realized: $ 5,040
?Final Price Realized includes Buyer’s Premium added to Hammer Price
Estimate: $ 1,000 - $ 1,500
(NEW YORK--MINING.) Archive of the Sterling and Southfield iron mines. 16 volumes and 3 boxes of loose papers totaling 4.5 linear feet; a few of the ledgers are quite worn, but most are sturdy; the loose papers are generally in quite strong condition, with some still folded. (JMR) Orange County, NY, 1792-1920
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Additional Details

Sterling Iron Works in Warwick, NY opened in 1736, and famously supplied the chain across the Hudson River which protected West Point during the Revolution. Southfield Furnace in nearby Monroe opened in 1804. Both mines for many years were owned by three generations of Peter Townsends, with partners. They were sold in 1864 as the Sterling Iron & Railway Company. The mines were finally closed in 1923.
The records cover various operations of these related businesses for more than a hundred years. The earliest item is an account journal from the Sterling company store dated 1792 to 1794. Another account journal covers Sterling and then Southfield from 1813 to 1825. A Townsend ledger lists ore from various mines including Sterling, 1844-1852, followed by a log of ore delivered at Southfield Furnace, 1852-53. Nine account books relate to the Southfield mine and furnace from 1834 to 1891, including invoice books and weekly blast furnace reports. Two volumes are from the related Sterling Mountain Railway. Among the loose papers are pay lists, vouchers, correspondence of the company officers, reports, deeds, and more. An inventory is available upon request. For more information, see James M. Ransom, Vanishing Ironworks of the Ramapos, pages 167-214.