Dr. James R. Chilton (1808-1863)

James R. Chilton (1808-1863) was the son of the immigrant George Chilton, and brother of George J. Chilton, direct line of my tree. He was not only involved in early photography (daguerrotype) with his brother Howard, he was a notable druggist in New York City, and manufactured proprietary medicines including “Dr. Chilton’s Fever and Ague Pills” which were sold in a small round wooden box by Comstock & Brother.

This letter was listed on eBay with the following description:
James R. Chilton, M.D. (d.1863), analytical chemist and early photography buff. Dr. Chilton had a drugstore at 263 Broadway, New York City. A letter written by James R. Chilton to Professor Samuel St. John (science professor, proponent of natural history, and newspaper publisher. St. John was an original curator and secretary of the Cleveland Academy of Natural Sciences). In his letter, Chilton lists apparatus that he has sent St. John.The paper is folded, discolored/marked, and creased. There is a tear along the right edge, and by the seal.The letter comes from the archives of the noted Raab Collection.*

Marriage Certificate for J.M. Wilson and M.E. Schaffer – August 29, 1877

This is the marriage certificate of John Marshall Wilson and Mary Elizabeth Schaffer. They were married in New York City on August 29, 1877. The minister was C. P. Conner, and the witness was Elizabeth Conner. There are two spaces for photos, and there is some tape residue on the back side which indicates that there were once photos there but that they were removed.