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John Sunnocks account book and Newbold Hough Trotter sketches, 1792-1801, ca. 1880

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Summary

Creator:
Sunnocks, John, -1793 and Trotter, Newbold Hough, 1827-1898
Abstract:
This collection consists one bound volume including both financial receipts and sketches. The first part the volume contains 38 pages of receipts of payments from John Sunnocks to various people he had transacted business with in the late 18th century. The rest of the volume contains sketches circa 1880, attributed to Newbold Hough Trotter, an American artist known for his work illustrating natural landscapes and animals.
Extent:
1 volume
Language:
English
Authors:
Collection processed and finding aid created by Erin Berger

Background

Scope and Content:

This single bound volume includes both financial receipts and sketches. The first part the volume contains 38 pages of receipts of payments from John Sunnocks to various people he transacted business with in late 18th century Philadelphia. The next approximately 150 pages contain sketches attributed to Newbold Hough Trotter, an American artist known for his work illustrating natural landscapes and animals. The second half of the volume is unused.

It is likely Newbold came into possession of the book through his wife, Ann Trotter. Ann's great-grandfather, William Dawson, was named executor of John Sunnock's estate at the time of his death in 1793. This is noted in some of the last receipts in the volume.

The receipts date from June 20, 1792 to January 31, 1801 and are written by the individual receiving the payment or by John Sunnocks, or someone on behalf of John Sunnocks, and signed by the individual receiving payment. The currency shifts between pounds and dollars, and some receipts are exchanges of said currencies. The receipts vary in specificity. Many relate to his business as a trunk maker, for goods and services such as animal skins, lumber, and freight. Other expenses shown are taxes, rent, and military fines. Some of the more recurring businesses and individuals found in these receipts are as follows: Moses Levy (attorney), John Field & Son (merchants), Andrew Tybout (merchant), Roberts & Twamley (ironmongers), Abbot & Barnes (curriers), David Moffat (sea captain), Daniel Drinker (merchant), and William Watson (sea captain).

The sketches are in pencil and undated. They mostly depict animals, including many images of lions. Other drawings/scenes include profile portraits of men and women, a man hunting, a ship at sea, and a man presenting artwork. A few drawings appear to have been done by a child.

Biographical / Historical:

John Sunnocks

John Sunnocks, a trunk maker from London, had opened up business on Chestnut Street in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania by 1790. His father, Thomas Sunnocks, also a trunk maker and carpenter, stayed in London and continued to work at his shop located at 150 Ratcliffe Highway. John Sunnocks died in the autumn of 1793 during the Philadelphia Yellow Fever Epidemic. His will states he had one son, also named John.

In 1830, Eliza Parke Custis Law attributed Sunnocks as the builder of the trunk that Martha Washington used to visit George Washington during the Revolutionary War, though it is unclear if this is accurate. The trunk is currently a part of the Mount Vernon Museum Collection.

Newbold Hough Trotter

Newbold Hough Trotter was born January 4th, 1827 to Joseph Trotter and Ann Hough in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was raised in the local Quaker community. Trotter attended Haverford College from 1840-1845 and then became a clerk for Wood, Abbot, & Co, a wholesale dry-goods business. From 1850-1858 Trotter was a partner and machinist of Birkinbine & Trotter, "Engineers & Hydraulic Machinists, Contractors for Water Works." During his time as a machinist he was already creating art, primarily centered around his work. He married Annie M. Dawson on October 10th 1855. They had three children together; two of whom did not survive infancy. Their only surviving child, Spencer Trotter, was born February 8th, 1860 (died April 10th, 1931). From 1859-1862 Trotter appeared in Philadelphia directories as an artist. During the Civil War, he served in the Germantown Home Guards. As a direct result of his military service, he was turned out of the Quakers. In 1863, Trotter and his brother-in-law, Charles P. Dawson, opened a hardware and cutlery retail store, Trotter & Dawson. He worked as a merchant until 1867 when he became an artist full-time. Newbold Hough Trotter died on February 22. 1898 in Atlantic City, New Jersey at the age of 71.

Newbold Hough Trotter was primarily a landscape and animal artist. His work was featured at the Centennial Exhibition in Philadelphia (1876), the National Academy of Design in New York (1886), the Pennsylvania Academy, and the Boston Athenaeum. His most notable work, "Wounded Buffalo Pursued by Prairie Wolves," was purchased by General William Tecumseh Sherman. Trotter was subsequently commissioned by the War Department and Smithsonian for additional paintings. Newbold Hough Trotter was member of the Art Club of Philadelphia, member of the Artists Fund Society of Philadelphia, and secretary of the Philadelphia Society of Artists.

Acquisition Information:
1994. P-1709 .
Rules or Conventions:
Finding aid prepared using Describing Archives: A Content Standard (DACS)

Contents

Using These Materials

Info for Visitors

How to Request

Ordering Reproductions

Download PDF Finding Aid
RESTRICTIONS:

The collection is open for research.

USE & PERMISSIONS:

Copyright status is unknown

PREFERRED CITATION:

John Sunnocks Account Book and Newbold Hough Trotter Sketches, William L. Clements Library, The University of Michigan