Letters of New London's Early Customs Collectors
The museum created in New London's Custom House since the 1980s has given the building a public role very different from its original purpose as a government agency. Its origins are a vital part of the city's maritime history, however, and several artifacts from its construction and early years are important items in our collections. Among these are the architect's renderings of the bulding, described in the previous section, and the letters of Ingoldsby W. Crawford (1786-1867), New London's collector when the Custom House was built.
Although the letters are in excellent condition, they needed archival housing for long-term preservation. For this project Gene crafted sturdy acid-free albums with transparent sleeves for the letters, sized to fit in the flip-top boxes shown here.
Despite Ingoldsby Crawford's good penmanship, it is much easier to get the gist of his letters in the transcriptions edited and annotated by Museum volunteer Dirk Langeveld at the behest of Director Susan Tamulevich. These have also been bound in an album for protection and ease of use.
From a biographical sketch Langeveld wrote as an introduction to the album we learn that Crawford's strong support of President Andrew Jackson was rewarded by his appointment as New London's customs collector.
"He remained in the job until 1839, overseeing an exciting time for the area. The city's docks were packed with whaling and sealing vessels... lighthouses and other navigational improvements were built...
"The [letters are] a valuable look at early 19th century New London and its relation to a number of historical figures and events."
_________________
Below: These samples of the transcriptions describe some of the issues Crawford was dealing with in 1831, two years before the cornerstone of the new Custom House was laid.
