The leather manufacturing firm of J.E. Rhoads & Sons grew out of an eighteenth-century tanning operation on the Rhoads family homestead in Marple, Chester County (now Delaware County), Pennsylvania. This collection contains various historical items related to the Rhoads family and their leather business, such as a deed to John Rhoads (1639-1701), correspondence regarding tanning business, paper on Rhoads homestead, and early business, and items related to the 275th anniversary of J.E. Rhoads & Sons Inc.

The leather manufacturing firm of J.E. Rhoads & Sons grew out of an eighteenth-century tanning operation on the Rhoads family homestead in Marple, Chester County (now Delaware County), Pa. Records cover the entire history of the firm from the 1720s through the 1960s. There is also substantial information on trade organizations in the leather industry and on members of the Rhoads family.