Guide to the Archival Collections.pdf - Missouri History Museum

Letter signed J.M. Sutton, Tully, Mo., to Jno. D. Fondren [John D. Fondren], St. Louis, Mo.,
January 11, 1856. Describes two slaves—a husband and wife aged 28 or 29—who a friend of his
wishes to sell.
Cite as: J.M. Sutton Letter, Missouri History Museum Archives, St. Louis.
A1590
Sutton, James C. (1797-1877).
Sutton family papers, 1813-1924. 3 boxes
John L. Sutton was born to John and Catherine Compton Sutton in 1795. The family resided
in New Jersey. Two years later, another son, James C., was born. In 1817, John set out for St.
Louis. James followed, and after a prolonged illness while traveling through Ohio, arrived in
1819. The two brothers were employed as blacksmiths and enjoyed success at their trade. James
is credited with introducing iron-clad wheels, iron- and steel-pointed plows (the Sutton Plow),
iron harrow teeth, and iron printers sticks to the area. He also made the locks for the old Spanish
jails. In 1825, James retired and purchased 300-400 acres of land from Charles Gratiot. James
married Ann Wells of St. Louis in 1829. John Sutton never married and died in 1830. James and
Ann Sutton had eleven children, nine of whom lived to adulthood. James bought more land in
later years. In 1840, he donated land for a school that would later be known as Benton Station
School. James became involved in a steam flour mill that also manufactured lead pipe, sheet
lead, flaxseed oil, steel plows, and yarn. The Suttons were also known for their beneficent aid to
orphan children. The couple lived on the Sutton homestead (in what is now Maplewood) until
their deaths: Ann in 1875 and James in 1877. John L. Sutton, the oldest of James and Ann’s
eleven children, was born in 1830. At age nineteen, he ventured to California to seek his fortune.
He returned to St. Louis three years later. In addition to working as a farmer and stock raiser, he
was also involved in other enterprises such as mining in Colorado and Montana and cotton
planting in the South. John married Margaret Smith of St. Louis in 1858. The couple had six
children. John became the owner of the Sutton homestead at his father’s death. John died in
1909.
The collection consist of accounts due to John L. and James C. Sutton while working as
blacksmiths, and later accounts of James. The papers also contain deeds and land transactions,
legal papers, receipts and bills, tax receipts, and correspondence of and to the Sutton family. The
papers are primarily arranged chronologically; however, in some cases documents are filed by
subject. A few items are filed oversize.
Finding aid available.
Cite as: Sutton Family Papers, Missouri History Museum Archives, St. Louis.
A1591
Swacker, Grace Lee.
Papers, 1919-1920. 2 folders (approximately 50 items)
Founder and president of Missouri Woman's Club of New York City.
Papers include correspondence and newsclippings of the Missouri Woman's Club of New
York regarding the planting of trees in memoriam to David R. Francis in New York City. Also
includes information regarding the welcoming of returning Missouri soldiers from Europe by the
Missouri Woman's Club of New York City.
Cite as: Grace Lee Swacker Papers, Missouri History Museum Archives, St. Louis.
A1592
Swaney, Dorothy M. (1913-2001).