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Deliveries of American Tobacco lettersheet from James Dunlop to J. and D.K. Stewart

 Collection — Box: BW 61, Folder: 1
Identifier: MSS-16938

Content Description

This collection contains a single-leaf document, printed on the front and back, titled "Deliveries of American Tobacco from 1st January to 31st January 1837.” The printed document recorded the prices and quantities of many different tobaccos imported into England in 1837, as well as outlining tobacco deliveries for 1836, stocks remaining in the “King’s Warehouse,” specifics on market fluctuations of tobacco varieties, a “Recapitulation of Exports in 1836” to various markets, measured in “hogheads,” and tobacco stores “under bond.” However, it was repurposed as a letter sheet, dated 6th January 1837, sent by James Dunlop (1782–1844) to J.and D.K Stewart (John Stewart (1806-1885) and Daniel Kerr Stewart (1809-1889) of Richmond, Virginia. The letter mentions insurance for a recent shipment from Virginia to England, recent sales, damage to stock, and their regret at not yet finding a buyer for a parcel of tobacco from New York.

Dates

  • Creation: 1837

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

This collection has been minimally processed and is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

The Library believes that all or nearly all material in this collection is likely to be in the public domain, free of copyright restrictions. Visit our Permissions and Publishing page for more information about use of Special Collections materials. The library can provide copyright information upon request, but users are responsible for making their own determination about lawful use of collections materials.

Biographical Note: John Dunlop

James Dunlop (1782–1844) was a London tobacco merchant and insurance broker of Scottish descent whose American wife, Nancy Gilliam Duncan, had ties to Virginia.

Further Reading "Mr. and Mrs. James Dunlop." Worcester Art Museum, https://worcester.emuseum.com/objects/12073/mr-and-mrs-james-dunlop. Accessed January 23, 2026.

Legacies of Enslavement Committee. “Girton Reflects Series: College, Women and Heiress.” Girton College, University of Cambridge, April 2023, https://www.girton.cam.ac.uk/about-girton/girton-reflects/1-college-women-and-heiress.

Biographical Note: John Stewart and Daniel Kerr Stewart

John Stewart (1806-1885) and Daniel Kerr Stewart (1809-1889) were born on the Isle of Bute in Scotland and later emigrated to Richmond, Virginia where they set up as tobacco planters. The brothers formed a partnership before the Civil War and then invested in railroads and municipal bonds. They prospered as traders.

Further Reading

Virginia Museum of History and Culture. "Biographical Note." Guide to the Stewart Family Papers, 1802-1938, Call Number Mss1 St495 a FA2." Virginia Museum of History and Culture,Richmond, VA. https://virginiahistory.org/research/research-resources/finding-aids/stewart-family Accessed 28 January 2026.

“The Stewarts.” Brook Hill: Family, History,Community, https://brook-hill.net/stewart.Accessed 28 January. 2026

Full Extent

0.03 Cubic Feet (One letter-sized file folder)

Language of Materials

English

Metadata Rights Declarations

Immediate Source of Acquisition

This collection was purchased from Maggs Bros by the Small Special Collections Library, University of Virginia on November 21, 2025.

Condition Description

Good. It is a single sheet with folds from mailing and a hole near the right margin from a wax seal that once secured the letter.

Title
Guide to the Deliveries of American Tobacco lettersheet from James Dunlop to J. and D.K. Stewart
Author
Eric Willersdorf, Student Accessioning Archivist Assistant
Date
23 January 2025
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library Repository

Contact:
Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library
P.O. Box 400110
University of Virginia
Charlottesville Virginia 22904-4110 United States