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Start Over Date range 1827 Subjects Bakeries.

John Thomas Ricketts Papers (MS071) 4.5 Linear Feet 3 boxes

Ricketts, John Thomas, 1805-1863

This collection has three series: the papers of JT Ricketts, of Norris Cummings and of Helen Cummings. The Ricketts series makes up the bulk of the collection. Its main focus is on Ricketts' business records, but some personal documents are included. The business records contain financial, legal and administrative materials. They trace the rise of T. Wattson & Sons from a small bakery into an industrial "steam" bakery that supplied organizations such as the US Navy with packaged bread products. This development was made possible by the company's purchase of a cracker molding machine patent to mass produce bakery goods. Also found in the Ricketts' series is documentation of the divisive feud between Thomas Wattson and Ricketts and records relating to Ricketts' investments in Pennsylvania coal and timber lands. The Norris Cummings series consists of a few letters, accounts and printed materials. The Helen Cummings series is made up of Ricketts family genealogical materials including a family bible, correspondence to relatives and genealogical organizations and family trees.

  1. Alexandria Library

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