Stockly family papers
Creation: 1811-1913Abstract
The Stockly/Stockley family were merchants and bankers in Smyrna, Delaware, during the nineteenth century. The family papers consist primarily of account books for various Stockly enterprises, recording shipments of grain, barley, and hides between Delaware and Philadelphia.
Dates
- Creation: 1811-1913
Creator
- Stockly family (Family)
Extent
5.5 Linear Feet
Biographical Note
The Stockly/Stockley family were merchants and bankers in Smyrna, Delaware, during the nineteenth century.
Ayres Stockly (1800-1882) established himself in Smyrna as a merchant in 1823 in partnership with Samuel J. Rowland (1802-1838), recorded as both Stockley & Rowland and Rowland & Stockley. Rowland was the stepson of Ann B. Stockly (1790-1835), Ayres Stockly's sister. Ann B. Stockly married Joseph Galloway Rowland (1780-?) in 1811.
In 1832, Ayres Stockly married Margaret Offley (1795-1875). The couple had two sons: John Clark Stockley (1835-1935) and Ayres Holmes Stockley (1838-1879). There is no explanation for the change in spelling.
Stockley continued until about 1836, in partnership with Rowland, as C.T. & Ayres Stockley, and on his own account, when he became cashier of the Bank of Smyrna. In 1856, he became president of the bank until his resignation in 1876. Active in developing water and rail transportation between Smyrna, Wilmington, and Philadelphia, he promoted the shipment of freight and commodities northward from Smyrna. He also shipped bark, hides, and grain to Philadelphia in quantity, and introduced lime as a fertilizer in his community.
John Clark Stockley is also identified with the Bank of Smyrna. He partnered with his brother, Ayres H. Stockley, in 1865 to operate a grain commission business at Smyrna.
Scope and Contents
The family papers consist primarily of account books for various Stockley enterprises, recording shipments of grain, barley, and hides between Delaware and Philadelphia.
Miscellaneous items include: a shipping book for the sloop William Penn (1829-1832); workmen's account books (1826-1831); Ayres Stockley's personal diary (1870), relating to business and personal matters; Ayres H. Stockley's penmanship book (1852-1853); Ayres H. & John C. Stockley, grain dealers, letterpress book (1876-1879); John C. Stockley, rent ledger (1896-1912); and C.D. Stockley's diary (1912).
Other non-Stockley items include: Lewis Fields, account book for labor, groceries, etc., 1824-1826; William Fields, ledger (with some accounts of Dickinson Webster and a list of debts due Fields), 1813-1833, day book, 1825-1830, list of debts due him, 1830-1833; William Daniel, Smyrna, ledger of lumber accounts, 1853-1889, receipt book, 1875-1886; ledger (unidentified), 1871-1877, including accounts in settlement of the estate of Dr. William Daniel; William A. Cloud, Smyrna, accounts for ship repairs, 1859-1862, giving names of ships, owners, workmen, and supplies used; Morris Branch & Beaver Branch Banking Co., Smyrna, minute book, 1867-1910, including description of site, expenses, and maintenance of embankments, and list of stockholders; Smyrna Library Association, stock ledger, 1853-1913; account book (unidentified), 1886-1890, containing record of corn husked and cash from tenants; cash book (unidentified), 1899-1901.
Access Restrictions
This collection is open for research.
Language of Materials
English
Finding Aid & Administrative Information
- Title:
- Stockly family papers
- Author:
- John Beverley Riggs
- Date:
- 1978
- Description rules:
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description:
- English
- Script of description:
- Latin
Revision Statements
- 2022: Laurie Sather
Repository Details
Repository Details
Part of the Manuscripts and Archives Repository
