The records of Dutilh & Wachsmuth, one of the most important commercial houses established by immigrants in Philadelphia, document trade between Philadelphia and major European, West Indian, and American port cities. The bulk of the papers cover the firm’s business operations following its organization in 1790 through the War of 1812.

Records include letter books, journals, ledgers, invoices, day books, check books, bills, orders, correspondence, shipping papers, bills of exchange, marine insurance policies, claims and related papers, and banking records. They reflect trade with Holland, France, Spain, Great Britain, the West Indies, South America, and Atlantic ports in the United States in a wide variety of commodities, including: Havana sugar and cigars, Caracas coffee, Guatemala indigo, flour, butter, lard, hides, cottons, silks, logwood, wine and brandy, glass, glassware, earthenware, candles, gloves, and gunpowder. There are also letters and accounts primarily concerning trade with Amsterdam and Haiti, including an account of a massacre of the French by the Spanish in 1794, one from Eli Whitney concerning the cotton gin, and another from Albert Gallatin regarding repatriating French women and children from Cuba.

Although the partnership of Etienne Dutilh (who anglicized his first name to Stephen around 1804) and John G. Wachsmuth was dissolved around 1798-1799, accounts continue through 1803. Following the firm’s dissolution, J. G. Wachsmuth formed a partnership with John Soullier, an associate of Dutilh’s, which continued through 1814 and is reflected in the records. Dutilh continued his business until his death in 1810. Records such as correspondence, accounts, and other business records document the careers of both Wachsmuth and Dutilh well after the dissolution of the firm of Dutilh & Wachsmuth.

There is a small portion of records relating to later generations of the Dutilh family in Philadelphia, including Charles Dutilh, an insurance executive. A small amount of family correspondence document the non-business affairs of various members of the Dutilh family in both France and Philadelphia.