Broadside advertising a Real Estate Auction in the Village of Niagara Falls [New York], July, 1836.

Benjamin Rathburn (1790-1873) was a builder, banker and hotel-keeper who was well-known for his work in the development and expansion of Buffalo in the 1830s. He also conducted business in the Village of Niagara Falls. He purchased large tracts of land (largely on credit) with the intent to sell the land at a profit. However, the sales did not meet his expectations and Rathburn found himself over-extended on credit, ultimately leading to his financial ruin. Jesse P. Haines (1793-1877) was an American cartographer who is credited with mapping the Villages of Lockport and Niagara Falls, New York.

Intemperance at Meredith Bridge, 1836

A document titled "Plain Facts, In relation to the state of intemperance at Meredith Bridge, ascertained by a committee recently appointed for that purpose". The introduction to the document reads: "The whole population of the village, embracing a tract of territory less than one mile from the Bridge, is nine hundred forty. The number of families within those limits is one hundred and sixty-six. Of the heads of these families, thirty-eight are intemperate, - seventy are temperate drinkers; the remainder abstain wholly from the use of distilled and vinous liquors. There are ninety-six children in those families,in which there is one intemperate parent. The number of children who have temperate parents is one hundred and fifty-nine. The other families have one hundred and forty-four children. Beside the above, there are thirty-seven young men. Of this number, twelve are decidedly intemperate; seventeen are temperate drinkers, and eight subscribe to the doctrine of total abstinate. In the whole Village, there are, at the least, fifty-two decidedly intemperate. There are sold in this Village, annually nine thousand gallons of spirituous liquors, at a cost not less than $6,750. Add to this the other cost attendant on the use of spirituous liquors, estimated to equal that of the liquor itself, and we have an item of expense of $13,500, occasioned by the use of intoxicating drink. The above facts are offered for the serious consideration of the citizens at Meredith Bridge. March 1836".

Probate of Last Will and Testament of Alexander Simpson of Crowland Township

Probate of Last Will and Testament of Alexander Simpson of Crowland Township, January 29, 1872.

Indenture between Samuel DeVeaux Woodruff and Alexander Pettigrew

Indenture regarding articles of agreement between Samuel DeVeaux Woodruff of St. Catharines and Alexander Pettigrew of Merritton for parts of building lots 17, 18 and 19 of the Clifford Tract in Merritton (2 copies), Oct. 21, 1899.

Letter - R. Woodruff to Alexander Hamilton

Letter to Alexander Hamilton of Queenston from R. Woodruff of St. Davids. The letter states that Mr. Woodruff is not able to send butter as requested. Mr. Hamilton received credit for the butter and Mr. Woodruff cannot say when they will have turkeys. The letter is slightly stained and has a hole in the upper right hand corner. This does not affect the text, Dec. 22, 1824.

Letter - R. Woodruff to Alexander Hamilton

Letter to Alexander Hamilton of Queenston from R. Woodruff stating that Mr. Woodruff is sending 2 letters because he is remitting money and doesn’t want to send the full amount in one letter, Sept. 18, 1832.

Letter to S.D. Woodruff from John I. Mackenzie regarding 1 share of the Long Point Company transferred from Alexander McInnes and 2 shares transferred from E.C. Clark

Letter to S.D. Woodruff from John I. Mackenzie regarding 1 share of the Long Point Company transferred from Alexander McInnes and 2 shares transferred from E.C. Clark. The shares were transferred to John I Mackenzie, Sept. 6, 1870.

Article of agreement between Alexander Cook, contractor of Humberstone and the Provisional Municipal Council of the county of Welland

Article of agreement between Alexander Cook, contractor of Humberstone and the Provisional Municipal Council of the county of Welland to construct and build the main drain through the marsh lands tract commencing in lot no. 27 in the 4th concession in the township of Humberstone in a southerly direction (6 pages, handwritten). This is signed by John Frazer, Provisional Warden, Dexter Deverardo and Alexander Cook. (2 copies), Dec. 30, 1854.

Estimate of clearing and chopping done by Alexander Cook and Andrew Mains

Estimate of clearing and chopping done by Alexander Cook and Andrew Mains, signed by Fred Holmes, Feb. 23, 1855.

Estimate of work done by Alexander Cook, Andrew Mains, Frederick Holmes, Louis Clement, Patrick Roche and Thomas Baird

Estimate of work done by Alexander Cook, Andrew Mains, Frederick Holmes, Louis Clement, Patrick Roche and Thomas Baird, signed by S.D. Woodruff, Feb. 26, 1855.

Estimatesfor clearing done by the contractors including Alexander Cook, Andrew Mains, Frederick Holmes, Louis Clements and Thomas Baird

Estimatesfor clearing done by the contractors including Alexander Cook, Andrew Mains, Frederick Holmes, Louis Clements and Thomas Baird. This document is signed by S.D. Woodruff. This is complete with an envelope made out to S.D. Woodruff, April 28, 1855.

Estimate of work done on marsh lands drainage by Alexander Cook, signed by S.D. Woodruff

Estimate of work done on marsh lands drainage by Alexander Cook, signed by S.D. Woodruff, Nov. 10, 1855.

Estimate of work done on marsh lands drainage by Alexander Cook and Andrew Mains

Estimate of work done on marsh lands drainage by Alexander Cook and Andrew Mains. This is signed by S.D. Woodruff. Also on this sheet is pay roll for engineer services for the months of September, October and November, 1855. This was paid to Frederick Holmes, Thomas Baird, Joseph Simpson and Len [illegible name], Nov.30, 1855.

Estimates for marsh drainage sent to Dexter Deverardo from S.D. Woodruff for Alexander Cook and Andrew Mains

Estimates for marsh drainage sent to Dexter Deverardo from S.D. Woodruff for Alexander Cook and Andrew Mains, Nov. 30, 1855.

Estimate of work done on marsh drainage by Alexander Cook and Andrew Mains

Estimate of work done on marsh drainage by Alexander Cook and Andrew Mains, Nov. 1855.