Platt-Scranton Family Letter Ledger
Scope and Contents
The collection of material is a series of handwritten letters written by Joseph C. Platt, manager of the Scranton Company general store in Scranton in the 1850s. He wrote to various people including his in-laws, the Scranton Family, about business matters, hiring and firing of various store clerks. In sections about the clerks, he displayed a bias towards Irish workers who came to Pennsylvania’s anthracite region.
Dates
- Creation: 1850-10-17 - 1855-10-10
Conditions Governing Access
Collection housed remotely. Users need to contact 24 hours in advance.
Copyright Notice
Please inquire about copyright information.
Conditions Governing Access
More detailed finding aid available on request.
Conditions Governing Use
Collection is open for research.
Biographical / Historical
Joseph Curtis Platt (1816-1887) was born in Saybrook, Connecticut to Joseph and Lydia Pratt Platt. He married Catherine Serena Scranton (1822-1887). April 2, 1844 in Connecticut. In 1846 Platt moved to Scranton to manage the Scranton company general store. Platt was involved with the Sons of Temperance, the local Tract and Bible Society and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and Sunday Schools of the Presbyterian Church.
Extent
1 volume : 28.5 x 21.5 x 3 cm, heavy cardboard covers covered in tan fabric, no spine, detached from pages, very loose binding of pages.
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
Letter ledger book owned by Joseph Curtis Platt (1816-1887) written between 1850-1855. Many of the letters are about the Scranton Company general store which he ran. Other letters were addressed to his in-laws and the Scranton family.
Arrangement
The materials are arranged chronologically.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Material was purchased from Carmen D. Valentino: American Historical Manuscripts, April 15, 2024.
Genre / Form
Geographic
Occupation
Topical
- Author
- Eleanor Nothelfer
- Date
- 2026-02-18
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Revision Statements
- 2026-04-01: Finding aid finalized and published by Lila Goldenberg.
Repository Details
Part of the Lehigh University Special Collections Repository
Lehigh University
Linderman Library
30 Library Drive
Bethlehem PA 18045 USA
610-758-4506
610-758-6091 (Fax)
inspc@lehigh.edu