Collection ID: LMC 1392
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Collection context

Summary

Abstract:
The Gaff mss., 1857-1872, are papers of Thomas Gaff, 1808-1884, merchant, banker, and manufacturer of Aurora, Indiana.
Extent:
1 Box (1 standard)
Language:
Materials are in English .
Preferred citation:

[Item], Gaff mss., Lilly Library, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana.

Background

Biographical / Historical:

Thomas Gaff, 1808-1884, merchant, banker, and manufacturer of Aurora, Indiana. He was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, and was brought at the age of three to Springfield, New Jersey, where he received his early education. After learning the distilling business from an uncle, Charles Wilson of Brooklyn, N.Y., Gaff, in partnership with a younger brother, James W. Gaff, 1816-1879, engaged in distilling in Philadelphia. In 1843, the brothers moved to Aurora, Indiana, and established the distilling firm of T. & J.W. Gaff & Co. In addition to distilling, the enterprises of the brothers were varied and extensive, including farming, silver mining, founding and machine works, merchandising, turnpike building, steamboat operation, and banking. Thomas Gaff was also a joint partner in two mills (Thomas Gent & Co. and T.C. Sayre & Co.) in Columbus, Indiana, and vice-president of the Aurora, Indiana Gaslight and Coke Co. During the Civil War, Thomas Gaff furnished steamboats and supplies for the Union cause. He and his brother were the principal owners of the steamboat, the Forest Queen, which successfully ran the blockade at Vicksburg.

James W. Gaff moved to Cincinnati before the Civil War, and, while retaining his business connections with his brother, extended his financial interests until, at the time of his death, he was engaged in 32 distinct firms and lines of business.

Scope and Content:

The Gaff mss., 1857-1872, are papers of Thomas Gaff, 1808-1884, merchant, banker, and manufacturer of Aurora, Indiana. The papers in this collection consist of letters, bills, receipts, drafts, and miscellaneous papers of Thomas Gaff. They relate to farm operations; the raising of cotton and selling of horses at a Lake Providence, Louisiana plantation; land dealings in Indiana, Illinois, and Missouri; flatboat and steamboat shipments down the Ohio and Mississippi rivers; silver mining at the Treasure Hill Silver Mine, Hamilton, Nevada; brewing; distilling; the steamboat, the Forest Queen; and post-Civil War claims against the U.S. government for payment for hay delivered at the mouth of White River, Arkansas, and for the value of the barges, Ottawa, Younker No. 3, and Wabash No. 1.

Acquisition information:

Purchase: 1950

Gift: 1951

Arrangement:

The contents of this collection are arranged chronologically.

Physical location:
ALF (Auxiliary Library Facility)

Access

RESTRICTIONS:

This collection is open for research.

Many collections are housed offsite; retrieval requires advance notice. Please make an appointment a minimum of one week in advance of your visit.

TERMS OF ACCESS:

Photography and digitization may be restricted for some collections. Copyright restrictions may apply. Before publishing, researchers are responsible for securing permission from all applicable rights holders, then filling out the Permission to Publish form.

PREFERRED CITATION:

[Item], Gaff mss., Lilly Library, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana.

CAMPUS:
Indiana University Bloomington
LOCATION OF THIS COLLECTION:
1200 East Seventh Street
Bloomington, Indiana 47405-5500, USA
CAMPUS:
Indiana University Bloomington
CONTACT:
(812) 855-2452
liblilly@indiana.edu