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Keys & Miller Lumber Company correspondence

Creation: 1877-1880 Creation: 1892-1895 Creation: 1901
 Collection
Accession: 2776

Abstract

Keys & Miller Lumber Company were dealers in lumber, grain, hay, lime, fertilizers, and coal. Located in Elkton, Maryland, the company incorporated in 1892. The records consist of inbound correspondence regarding orders received primarily between the years 1892 and 1895.

Dates

  • Creation: 1877-1880
  • Creation: 1892-1895
  • Creation: 1901

Extent

1.5 Linear Feet

Historical Note

Keys & Miller Lumber Company were dealers in lumber, grain, hay, lime, fertilizers, and coal. Located in Elkton, Maryland, the company incorporated in 1892 with the following partners: S. Kennard Miller (1840-1896), Samuel J. Keys (1845-1924), Isaac D. Davis (1841-1920), Thomas B. Miller (1864-1945), and William J. Davis (1871-1933).

The original company began in 1872 as Davis & Miller when S. Kennard Miller and Col. Isaac Davis formed a partnership and started in the lumber business. Soon after, Keys moved from Vienna, Maryland, to Elkton, Maryland, and joined the company; when Miller retired in ill health, the firm became Davis, Keys & Company. In 1892, S. Kennard Miller's son, Thomas B. Miller, joined the company, and it was reorganized and incorporated as Keys & Miller Lumber Company.

Keys was president until his death in 1924. Isaac Davis left the company around 1900 and became cashier, and later director, of the Second National Bank of Elkton. Isaac Davis's son, William J. Davis, became president after Keys, and was president until his death in 1933. Thomas B. Miller eventually left the lumber business and became president of the First National Bank of Elkton.

By 1974, Keys & Miller was listed among the companies given notice from the Executive Department of Annapolis, Maryland, Governor's proclamation giving notice of forfeiture of the charter of the delinquent corporation.

Content Description

The records consist of inbound correspondence regarding orders received primarily between the years 1892 and 1895. The bulk of the correspondence consists of order information and invoices from manufacturers and wholesalers covering the wide range of raw material or semi-finished goods sold by Keys & Miller, such as pine-wood flooring, lath, shingles, pickets, doors, blinds, shutters, windows, and anthracite coal. The letters discuss pricing, delivery or shipping arrangements, discounts, and other order details. Many of the letters have elaborate engraved letterheads that usually show the vendor's factory and/or products. The collection has been arranged in alphabetical order by company name/sender, and chronologically within the folder.

Access Restrictions

This collection is open for research.

Language of Materials

English

Finding Aid & Administrative Information

Title:
Keys & Miller Lumber Company correspondence
Author:
Sharon Fickeissen and Laurie Sather
Date:
2021
Description rules:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description:
English
Script of description:
Latin

Repository Details

Repository Details

Part of the Manuscripts and Archives Repository

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