Special Collections
The Milton S. Eisenhower Library
The Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, Maryland 2128
(410)-516-8348

McGill (John) fl. 1827-1849
Papers 1827-1849
Ms. 43

Processed:                  February 1988
By:                                Margaret N. Burri

Size:                       1 document box
                                   (0.4 linear feet)

Provenance:                 The letters were purchased by the University library in 1939 from H. R.
                            Hughes of Richmond, Virginia.

Access:                            Access is unrestricted.

Permission:                 Permission to publish material from the collection must be requested in
                            writing from the Manuscripts Librarian, Special Collections, Milton S.
                            Eisenhower Library, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD.

Citation:                          John McGill Papers
                                   Ms. 43
                                   Special Collections
                                   Milton S. Eisenhower Library
                                   The Johns Hopkins University
Provenance

The papers were purchased by the University library in 1939 from H. R. Hughes of Richmond, Virginia.
At some point, part of the papers dealing with J. Hopkins Bros. and Company were placed in the Johns
Hopkins University Collection and then transferred to the Johns Hopkins Collection.  When the McGill
Papers were processed in 1988, this alienated portion was reunited with the company records already in
the McGill Papers.

Background

Information about John McGill may be drawn from internal evidence in the collection.  He was a lawyer
in Urbana, Virginia (in Middlesex County) and flourished between 1827 and 1849.  He acted as an
collection agent for Baltimore firms owed outstanding debts by Virginians residing in King & Queen,
Gloucester, Middlesex, King William and Matthew counties (between Richmond and the Rappahannock
River).  His incoming letters illustrate how closely knit the Baltimore community was:  new clients were
almost always referred by old.  McGill's work took him frequently to Baltimore, as evidenced by the
receipts for stays at Barnum's Hotel and purchases at local merchants.

In addition to his collection duties, McGill had power of attorney for some firms, most notably that of
J. Hopkins Brothers and Company, a large grocer.  The business was located first at Pratt Street Wharf
(c. 1829-1838), and later at Lombard and Grant Streets (c. 1839-?).  This gave McGill the responsibility
of both collecting debts owed to the firm and acting on accounts payable.

McGill administered the estate of fellow Virginian Colonel William Shepherd, a resident of Churchville
in Middlesex County.  It is not clear if he was a relative or business associate.  Receipts and daybook
entries in the collection outline the disposition of the estate.

Scope and Content Note

The collection consists of four series:  incoming letters, financial records, William Shepherd estate
records, and J. Hopkins Brothers and Company records.  The bulk of the incoming letters are from
Baltimore merchants, and describe their claims--name, date, amount and terms.  Often, this information
was placed on a separate piece of paper.  In some cases, the statement and not the letter has survived;
these are filed with the incoming letters by merchant name.

The second series consists of McGill's financial records (1829-1849) and includes receipts for purchases,
daybook entries of accounts McGill had with various merchants, and receipts for payments received from
McGill as settlement for debts.

McGill administered the financial accounts of J. Hopkins Brothers and Company.  This series contains
daybook entries of transactions and receipts for accounts payable and receivable.

Claims against the estate of William Shepherd form the fourth series.  This also includes an account of
slaves hired out by the estate in 1838.
                               List of Incoming Correspondents

Aldridge & Higdon Company                 Langston, Whiteley & Co.
Armstrong, John                                  Larrabee, Ephraim
Armstrong & Berry                                Levering, A. R. & Son
Armstrong Harris & Company                Levering, C. & Clark
Baker, William                                          Levering, Clinton
Bank of Baltimore                                Levering, Jesse
Barry, Charles B.                                Lewis, Martin
Jos. Boury & Son                                 Philip Littig & Son
Broach, I.                                       Livermore & Cushing
Brown, Charles H.                                Ludden, Lemuel
Browne & Owens                                          Lumpkin, Catherine W.
Cabell, R.                                       Magruder & Dalrymple
Cartland, Samuel                                 Mayhew, William E. & Co.
Cole Graft & Company                             McConky J. & Co.
Cole & Morrison                                  McDonald, William & Co.
Conine, W.C.                                     Menzies, James
Conway & Armstrong                               Muse, Mrs.
Cooke, Dawson                                           Neale & Luckett
Cooke, Henry W.                                  Norris & Brothers
Corkran, William                                 Ober, G. & Company
Cox, Joseph                                      Pendexter & Alden
Earnest, G. and Cowles W.                 Pike, H. & Ward
Easter, Charrou & Redwood                 Pittman & Phillips
Eichelberger, J. F. & J. S.               Plaskitt, Fites & Company
Fitzpatrick, John                                Pleasants, John P. & Sons
Ford, C. W.                                      Power, James & Son
Fountain Hotel                                   Redwood, William H.
Fowler, Samuel B.                                Richardson, B. V.
Gosnell, L. W. & Devries, W.                     Richardson, G. W. & Co.
Griffith, A. & R. R.                      Richardson & Lewis
Griffith, William                                Riley, A.
Gwyn, Charles R.                                 Sanders, Benedict
Hall & Company                                          Schaeffer & Loney
Hardester Hooper & Co.                           Segar, R. M.
Harding, Walter E.                               Sellig, Philip & Son
Harrison, J. P.                                  Sellman & Crook
Hatton, John G.                                  Sewell & Ayres
Healy, John S.                                   F. Smith & Co.
Height, B. M.                                    Smith & Atkinson
Hemmings, E. A.                                  Smith & Sharkey
Hewlett, J. Q.                                   Smith & Curry
Higginbothom, John                               Spreckelsen & Wier
Hoffman, George B. & Bro.                 Starr, R.
Hooper, James & Son                              Stearns, Thomas
Hooper & Boyd                                           Stewart, David
Hughes, H. R.                                    Stewart, W. P. & Co.
Jarvis, Leonard                                  Stubbs, Robert F.
Jarvis & Thompson                                Sutton, James L.
Jenkins, Edward & Sons                           Sutton & Hall
Jones-Bruneston Company                          Taylor, Robert A. & Co.
Kerr, Edward                                     Teakle, St. George W.
King, George                                     Teakle, Thomas W.
Tiffany, O. C. & Co.
Turnbull, Alexander & Co.
Wall & Berry
Watkins, Dungan & Rust
Watkins, Dungan & Waesche
Williams, Abner
Williams, J. J.
Williams, James
Wilson & Hess
Wright, George
Wyeth & Norris
Wyman, W. & S.
                                       Container List

Box I:

Provenance, 1 folder.

Incoming letters, 33 folders.

Box II:

Financial Records, 1826-1847, 3 folders.

Hopkins Bros. & Co., 1827, 1840-1848, 1 folder.

Shepherd, William, 1827-1849, 1 folder.

                                            Index

Baltimore  1
J. Hopkins Bros. and Co.  1, 2, 5
McGill, John  1-2, 5
Shepherd, William  1, 2, 5
Slaves  2