Lea family miscellany 2540 This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on September 19, 2021. Description is written in: English. Describing Archives: A Content Standard Manuscripts and Archives PO Box 3630 Wilmington, Delaware 19807 [email protected] URL: http://www.hagley.org/library Lea family miscellany 2540 Table of Contents Summary Information .................................................................................................................................... 3 Biographical Note .......................................................................................................................................... 3 Scope and Contents ........................................................................................................................................ 4 Administrative Information ............................................................................................................................ 4 Controlled Access Headings .......................................................................................................................... 4 - Page 2 - Lea family miscellany 2540 Summary Information Repository: Manuscripts and Archives Creator: William Lea & Company Creator: Lea family Title: Lea family miscellany ID: 2540 Date [inclusive]: 1786-1932 Physical Description: 5 item(s) Language of the English . Material: Abstract: The Lea family were among the largest flour mill operators at the Brandywine Falls, near Wilmington, Delaware, since the 1770s, when Thomas Lea (1757–1823) joined in partnership with Joseph Tatnall (1740–1813) to operate mills on the north bank of the stream. This small collection includes a single letter, two blank letterheads from Lea family companies, a check, and newspaper clipping. ^ Return to Table of Contents Biographical Note The Lea family were among the largest flour mill operators at the Brandywine Falls, near Wilmington, Delaware, since the 1770s, when Thomas Lea (1757–1823) joined in partnership with Joseph Tatnall (1740–1813) to operate mills on the north bank of the stream. After his death, his son William Lea (1805-1876) took over the business in 1837. Tatnall & Lea was reorganized as William Lea & Sons in 1864 with the entry of Henry Lea (1839-1888) and Preston Lea (1841-1916) into the business. The firm was incorporated as the William Lea & Sons Company in 1882. In 1901 the Lea Milling Company was formed and assumed operation of the mills under a lease from the William Lea & Sons Company. The latter firm was dissolved on August 22, 1923, and was succeeded by Lea & Company. The mill properties were sold in 1926, and Lea & Company was dissolved on June 20, 1927. ^ Return to Table of Contents - Page 3- Lea family miscellany 2540 Scope and Contents This small collection includes the following items: a handwritten letter of 4 April 1786 from Geo. Hammond & Co. of Duck Creek Landing, Del., to Tatnall & Lea regarding shipments of flour; a blank letterhead, "The Wm. Lea & Sons Co.," circa 1890; a check drawn on the Union National Bank of Wilmington payable to Preston Lea, November 14, 189?; a blank letterhead, "The Lea Milling Co.," circa 1905; and a newspaper clipping, "Old letter of William Lea, Sr., tells of Washington's activities in the then "Brandywine Village," March 4, 1932. ^ Return to Table of Contents Administrative Information Publication Statement Manuscripts and Archives PO Box 3630 Wilmington, Delaware 19807 [email protected] URL: http://www.hagley.org/library Access Restrictions No restrictions on access; this collection is open for research. ^ Return to Table of Contents Controlled Access Headings • Brandywine Village (Del.) • Grain trade • Flour mills • Lea, William, 1805-1876 - Page 4-.