Alexander Turney Stewart (1803-1876) was an American merchant and philanthropist. He emigrated to the U.S. from Ireland ca. 1820 and went into the lace business. His wholesale and retail business expanded and he owned stores, stocks and property...
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Alexander Turney Stewart (1803-1876) was an American merchant and philanthropist. He emigrated to the U.S. from Ireland ca. 1820 and went into the lace business. His wholesale and retail business expanded and he owned stores, stocks and property in New England, New York, New Jersey, and throughout Europe. His philanthropic activities include aid to Ireland during the famine of 1847 and to the victims of the Chicago fire in 1871. Collection consists of letters received by Stewart, a few photographs and miscellaneous materials. Letters, 1862-1875, are mainly from people seeking financial support (some of the writers comment on the presidential campaign of 1872). Most of the letters are from the U.S. with a few from Canada and abroad. There are no copies of Stewart's replies and none of the letters relate to his various business enterprises. Also, photographs and return envelopes enclosed in the letters.
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