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William Lea & Sons Company records

Creation: 1822-1890
 Collection
Accession: 1907

Abstract

The Lea family were among the largest flour mill operators at the Brandywine Fills, near Wilmington, Delaware, beginning in the 1770s until 1927. The mill operated under multiple company names, including Tatnall & Lea, William Lea & Sons, William Lea & Sons Company, Lea Milling Company, and Lea & Company. The records consist of letters, orders, receipts, and advertisements of the William Lea & Sons Company and its predecessors.

Dates

  • Creation: 1822-1890

Creator

Extent

118 item(s)

Historical note

The Lea family were among the largest flour mill operators at the Brandywine Fills, near Wilmington, Delaware, beginning in the 1770s until 1927. The mill operated under multiple company names, including Tatnall & Lea, William Lea & Sons, William Lea & Sons Company, Lea Milling Company, and Lea & Company.

In the 1770s, Thomas Lea (1757-1824) joined in partnership with Joseph Tatnall (1740-1813) to operate mills on the north bank of the Brandywine near Wilmington, Delaware. After his death, his son William (1805-1876) took over the business in 1837. Tatnall & Lea was reorganized as William Lea & Sons in 1864 with the entry of Henry (1839-1888) and Preston Lea (1841-1916) into the business. William Lea died in 1876 and his sons carried on the business, modernizing the mills, but facing increasing competition from the West. The firm was incorporated as the William Lea & Sons Company in 1882. In 1901 the Lea Milling Company was formed and assumed operation of the mills under a lease from the William Lea & Sons Company. The latter firm was dissolved on August 22, 1923, and was succeeded by Lea & Company. The mill properties were sold in 1926, and Lea & Company was dissolved on June 20, 1927.

Scope and Contents

The records consist of 118 letters, orders, and receipts of the William Lea & Sons Company, flour manufacturers, and its predecessors. It includes receipts for brick, orders for grain, and advertisements.

Access Restrictions

No restrictions on access; this collection is open for research.

Related Materials

Lea Mills collection (Accession 1114), Manuscript and Archives Department, Hagley Museum and Library.

Lea family miscellany (Accession 2540), Manuscript and Archives Department, Hagley Museum and Library.

Language of Materials

English

Related Names

Subject

Finding Aid & Administrative Information

Title:
William Lea & Sons Company records
Description rules:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description:
English
Script of description:
Latin

Revision Statements

  • 2020: Ashley Williams

Repository Details

Repository Details

Part of the Manuscripts and Archives Repository

Contact:
PO Box 3630
Wilmington Delaware 19807 USA
302-658-2400