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Creator
Alexander Hamilton United States Custom House (New York, N.Y.)
Call number
MssCol 3092
Physical description
.4 linear feet (1 box)
Language
Materials in English
Preferred Citation

New York Custom House Records, Manuscripts and Archives Division, The New York Public Library

Repository
Manuscripts and Archives Division
Access to materials
Request an in-person research appointment.

The first series, 1792-1894, represents the bulk of the papers and consist of letters, certificates of registration for crews and vessels, returns of manifests, documents regarding imports and exports, petitions for various positions and contracts. The second series, 1833-1840, consists of vouchers and receipts that were generated from the construction of a custom house under Commissioners Samuel Swartwout, Walter Bourne and Elisha Tibbits.

Biographical/historical information

The New York Custom House was established in 1799 by the United States government to regulate New York port and harbor activities. Custom houses raised revenues and controlled shipping, placed duties on imports, prevented smuggling and enforced the laws regulating exports and imports. Fifteen years later, the New York Custom House was destroyed by fire, so the Custom House moved to Federal Hall. During the years 1832-1842, a new custom house was built at the cost of $985,000 dollars on Walt William and Pine Street. In 1852, the New York Custom House moved to another location and the building in which it had previously resided became the Sub-Treasury. However, in 1907 the New York Custom House moved to its new quarters on Bowling Green which were designed by Cass Gilbert (1859-1934). This building is registered as a New York landmark. Presently, this building stands vacant.

Scope and arrangement

The first series, 1792-1894, represents the bulk of the papers and consist of letters, certificates of registration for crews and vessels, returns of manifests, documents regarding imports and exports, and petitions for various positions and contracts. The second series, 1833-1840, consist of vouchers and receipts that were generated from the construction of a Custom House under commissioners Samuel Swartwout, Walter Bourne and Elisha Tibbits.

New York by President Grant Governors Washington Hunt, Noratio Seymour and John A. Dix; Secretary of State Edward Livingston; Tench Coxe, Samuel Swartwout, Peter Gansevoort, Fernando Wood, James; Madison and John Jacob Astor.

Documents of interest are: April 25, 1809, D. S. James Madison; December 17, 1831, Jos. Anderson to Samuel Swartwout re his decision that all books for Seminary training be exempt and February, 27, 1853 "St. Tammany" of Columbian Order endorsed Mr. Henry Liebeman for Weigher.

The New York Custom House Records are arranged in two series:

Administrative information

Source of acquisition

11 May 1935, Received from Wormser (bulk was purchased) H. E. Pickzeosgill (gift) Mrs. W. M. Sweeney Hazelton

Processing information

Accessioned by Varuie Wingfield, 5/26/1984

Using the collection

Location

Manuscripts and Archives Division
Stephen A. Schwarzman Building
Fifth Avenue at 42nd Street, New York, NY 10018-2788
Brooke Russell Astor Reading Room, Third Floor, Room 328