Archives Center, National Museum of American History
Hagan Brothers Carriage Works Records
Hagan, Henry
Hagan Brothers Carriage and Wagonmakers (Frederick, Md.).
Carmen D. Valentino, American Historical Manuscripts.
Hagan, Charles
NMAH.AC.1154
Archival Resource Key
2.5 Cubic feet
9 boxes, 21 volumes
1882-1903
In 1882, brothers Charles and Henry Hagan established a carriage, coach, and wagon business in Frederick, Maryland. This collection represents approximately two decades of business transactions through 21 volumes of daybooks and ledgers.
English
.
Biographical / Historical
In 1882, brothers Charles and Henry Hagan founded the Hagan Brothers, Carriage & Wagonmakers and Horseshoers Company with Charles A. Hagan as president.
Horse-drawn vehicles were crucial to American transportation before railroads, and the industry that supplied these vehicles was a major factor in the economy. Most of these firms were never vertically integrated, although some later developed into the "accessory industry," or specialized production of components. Major sources of revenue for businesses like the Hagan Brothers included general blacksmithing work, carriage and wagon repair, and manufacturing carriages to the customer's specifications.
The later history of the company is not known. There are no directories for Frederick County between 1911 and 1922, and there is no listing for Hagan Brothers in the 1923 directory.
Scope and Contents
This collection consists of twenty-one manuscript account books documenting the company's carriage, wagon and horseshoeing business. Three volumes are ledgers, the rest are daybooks. Volumes often contain overlapping dates or missing periods of time, and ledgers have varying dates for each customer. In some instances, the weather for Christmas Day is recorded.
Arrangement
Collection is arranged into one series.
- Series 1, Account Books, 1882-1903
Immediate Source of Acquisition
This collection was purchased from Carmen D. Valentino, a Philadelphia, Pennsylvania rare books and manuscripts dealer, by Craig Orr, archivist in April 2009.
Conditions Governing Use
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open for research but is stored off-site and special arrangements must be made to work with it. Contact the Archives Center for information at archivescenter@si.edu or 202-633-3270.
Related Materials
One account book covering the period from April 16, 1908 to November 23, 1908 is held at the Historical Society of Frederick County, Maryland. See website at: http://www.hsfcinfo.org/ .
Processing Information
Processed by Beatrice Kelly (intern), April, 2009; supervised by Alison Oswald, archivist.
Preferred Citation
Hagan Brothers Carriage Works Account Books, dates, Archives Center, National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution
Daybooks -- 1880-1910
Carriage industry -- Maryland
Carriage and wagon making -- 1880-1910 -- Maryland
Account books -- 19th century
Family-owned business enterprises -- 1880-1910 -- Maryland
Horse-drawn vehicles -- Maryland
Horseshoeing
Ledgers (account books) -- 1880-1910
Account Books
Series 1
Archival Resource Key
1882-1903
Ledger
Archival Resource Key
1882 January 2-1885 January 3
7
18
Day Book
Archival Resource Key
1884 December 23-1887 June 22
1
1
Day Book
Archival Resource Key
1885 January 6-1885 April 8, 1887 June 22-1888 September 10
1
2
Day Book
Archival Resource Key
1885 January 6-1885 January 22, 1889 August 20-1890 January 15
2
4
Ledger
Archival Resource Key
1887 July 9-1890 January 30
8
19
Day Book
Archival Resource Key
1888 September 10-1889 August 20
8
3
Day Book
Archival Resource Key
1890 January 2-1892 June 13
2
5
Ledger
Archival Resource Key
1890 January 2-1895 February 22
9
20
Day Book
Archival Resource Key
1892 June 13-1896 May 25, 1893 January 2-1894 March 12
2
6
Day Book
Archival Resource Key
1894 March 13-1895 July 22
3
7
Ledger
Archival Resource Key
1896 January 1-1901 December 28
9
21
Day Book
Archival Resource Key
1895 July 23-1896 February 5, 1896 January 2-1896 September 14
3
8
Day Book
Archival Resource Key
1896 September 15-1897 September 8
4
9
Day Book
Archival Resource Key
1897 September 9-1898 August 31
4
10
Day Book
Archival Resource Key
1898 September 1-1899 July 25
5
11
Day Book
Archival Resource Key
1899 July 26-1900 June 19
5
12
Day Book
Archival Resource Key
1900 June 20-1901 May 21
6
13
Day Book
Archival Resource Key
1900 July 3-1901 November 25
8
17
Day Book
Archival Resource Key
1901 May 22-1902 April 19
6
14
Day Book
Archival Resource Key
1902 April 21-1903 February 28
7
15
Day Book
Archival Resource Key
1903 March 2-1903 December 1
7
16