[Civil War Era] 51 Autograph Letters Signed from L.M. Skidmore & Co., Dealers in Lumber, Lath, Shingles, Cedar Posts, Timber, etc., Toledo, Ohio, to N & B Mills, Manufacturers and General Dealers in Lumber, Lath, Shingles and Long Timber and General Store, Maryville, Michigan

1862-1863. [Civil War Era] 51 Autograph Letters Signed from L.M. Skidmore & Co., Dealers in Lumber, Lath, Shingles, Cedar Posts, Timber, etc., Toledo, Ohio, to N & B Mills, Manufacturers and General Dealers in Lumber, Lath, Shingles and Long Timber and General Store, Marysville, Michigan

April 1862 to December 1863. 45 on letterhead, 43 are 10.5 x 8, and three are approx. 5 x 7.5, five are non-letterhead, size varies from 5.5 x 7.5 to 9.5 x 7.5. Creasing, spotting, soiling, chipping, small tears, two small holes at top of each sheet, part of the letterhead on April 21 torn off (but present), August 3 is missing lower left corner and is heavily ink stained near the bottom. All sleeved. Overall good to very good condition.

Extensive collection of business correspondence spanning 18 months between two lumber supply firms in Ohio and Michigan, 1862-1863. A prime example of commerce of critical lumber supplies during the American Civil War.

In 1863, the state of Michigan had many areas covered with several varieties of trees, i.e., pine, oak, cherry which were, according to the Michigan State Gazetteer of 1863-64, "a reliable source of present and future wealth." The area near Lake Huron, where Marysville is located had mainly pine. At this time, the area was fairly prosperous. Marysville had a population of 300, two sawmills, two shipyards, three general stores and several hotels. Marysville, Michigan is 106 miles northeast of Toledo. Almost 50 years earlier, this area was settled by Zephaniah Bunce, who owned one of the two sawmills, the other owners being N (Nelson) and B (Barney) Mills. Nelson was also one of the early settlers. In 1854, along with two partners he bought a mill from Bunce and his partner and by 1862 he was the sole owner. He eventually operated three specialized mills on the St. Clair River. From the late 1860s to early 1880s, he also built boats. The village of Marysville (originally called Vicksburg) was renamed in 1859 for Nelson Mills' wife Mary.

This thriving business received orders from Skidmore requesting flooring, fencing, boards, etc. Especially fencing and flooring. Lumber needed was pine, walnut, black walnut, oak. Some of the letters just discuss sending payment. The requested items were sent via scows. Sometimes Skidmore didn't receive what he ordered, or the quality of workmanship was substandard, and he was sure to let Mills know of his displeasure. "Have men a little more careful about sawing inch boards." Other comments: "Fencing is wanted very much." "I want some clear strips... To make siding."

L.M. Skidmore & Co suffered a fire in 1866 causing $3,000 in damages.

A few non-lumber items were also discussed. "Can send flour but the pork I can't find in the market today."

Even though these orders were written during the Civil War, there is no mention of it in any of the correspondence. Confederate Gen. John Morgan invaded Ohio in July of 1863 but was defeated on July 18 at the Battle of Buffington's Island. July was also the Battle of Gettysburg. However, the Civil War did affect Ohio other than fighting. The Southern ports were closed so the grain shipments from the West came through Toledo to be shipped East on lake freighters. Manufacturing grew because the eastern factories weren't able to keep up with needs of both the army and the country. Toledo prospered and grew during this time, thus the constant need for lumber.

With: An informal letter from "husband" to "dear wife" on N&B Mills letterhead and dated Jan. 18, 1887 (9.5 x 6, stained, spotted, creased, tears, missing a couple of tiny pieces). Item #2126

Price: $475.00