Catalog of Manuscript Collections

Creator: John E. Bassett & Company; John E. Bassett (1830-1896); George E. Bassett; Titus Street; Derby Turnpike Company; New Haven Saw Works Extent: ca. 11,000 items Description: Business records of the Bassett dry goods and hardware store, first founded in 1784 by Titus Street (d. 1841) and taken over by John E. Bassett in 1855. When it went out of business in the mid-1960s, it was the oldest concern of its kind in the state. The records include 173 ledgers (including one set of woodcut prints), correspondence, invoices, canceled checks, promissory notes, and other papers; together with records (1800-97) and history of Derby Turnpike Company, and records (1867-69) of New Haven Saw Works. Persons represented include John E. Bassett (1830-96), his son, George E. Bassett, and Titus Street (d. 1841). Research Topics: Local businesses in New Haven from the 18th to the 20th century; hardware and dry goods business in New Haven